Tragedy struck a popular seaside resort when tourists watched in horror as a shark attacked and devoured a man just a few feet from the crowded beach.

The tragic incident unfolded at the Dream Beach Hotel in the Egyptian resort of Hurghada, with Russian media identifying the victim as a 23-year-old Russian national, Vladimir Popov, who had been living in Egypt for several months.

The fatal incident was confirmed by Viktor Voropayev, Russia’s consul-general in Hurghada. In a grim recounting, he described how Popov called out to his father, who was at the beach, while trying to fight off the shark. The video footage that captured the dreadful incident shows hotel employees frantically instructing swimmers to vacate the water as the shark’s fin became visible. 

Despite Popov’s valiant struggle, it soon became clear that the battle was lost. The horrific words, “It’s eating his remains now,” echoed from a witness as the shark dragged Popov under, eliminating any chance of rescue.

According to reports from Russian media, Popov’s girlfriend managed to escape unscathed, but her despair was palpable as she broke down in tears on the beach, comforted by surrounding bystanders.

In response to the attack, authorities immediately imposed a ban on swimming at the resort. The event has left witnesses traumatized, with some praising the swift action of the responders and others describing the disturbing sight of the shark’s feast. The shark believed to be responsible for the attack was subsequently hunted down and killed.