11 drown at Egyptian beach known for its ‘deadly waters’

Eleven people have drowned off the coast of northern Egypt at a beach known for its rocky jetty and fast-moving waters.

The tragedy unfolded at a beach in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, when a young boy ran into the sea and began having difficulties, said the city’s central tourism administration on Friday.

According to a report by AP, when a man jumped in to rescue him, he became caught in the waters too as did nine others who then followed, said Major General Jamal Rashad. It was not immediately clear if they were related.

Emergency teams recovered six bodies and were still searching for the rest late on Friday.

The waters off Alexandria are popular in the summer, but beaches are currently closed and lifeguards are off duty due to the coronavirus pandemic. The group went to the shore at dawn to avoid being caught by police, who try to disperse crowds and enforce antivirus restrictions at beaches in the area, authorities said.

Palm Beach has long been known for its deadly waters, local media reported. Every year it sees a rash of drownings due to its strong currents, foamy waters and rocky shore. Members of parliament have repeatedly demanded that the beach be closed to the public.

As summer temperatures in Egypt reach 38C (100F), the accident raised concerns over water safety as people seek relief from the heat despite pandemic restrictions.