Full Breakdown
German Tourist Dies After Snake Bite at Hurghada Hotel Show
4/28/2026, 10:28:17 AM
Fatal Snake Bite During Hurghada Hotel Show
A 57-year-old German man from the Unterallgäu district of Bavaria died after a snake, believed to be a cobra, crawled into his trousers and bit his leg while he watched a snake-charming performance at a hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, in early April. The victim showed clear signs of poisoning, was resuscitated, and later succumbed in hospital.
Background: Snake-Charming Entertainment in Red Sea Resorts
Snake-charming acts are a regular attraction at many tourist hotels along Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Performers typically drape venomous snakes over the necks of audience members for visual effect. Although the practice has drawn occasional safety concerns, it remains a staple of holiday entertainment in resorts such as Hurghada.
Key Figures and Agencies
- Victim: Unnamed 57-year-old German tourist from Unterallgäu, Bavaria, traveling with two relatives.
- German Authorities: Police in Kempten, Bavaria, and prosecutors leading the investigation.
- Egyptian Authorities: Local officials in Hurghada, who said they were not aware of the incident when contacted.
- Snake Charmer: Unidentified performer who handled the snakes during the show.
Timeline of Incident and Investigation
- Early April 2024: Snake-charming show takes place; snake enters victim’s trousers and bites his leg.
- Immediately after bite: Victim receives emergency resuscitation, is taken to a hospital, and dies shortly thereafter.
- April 27, 2024: German police publicly confirm the death and announce an investigation, awaiting toxicology results.
- Following days: German investigators coordinate with Egyptian officials; no arrest of the snake charmer reported.
Data & Statistics
- Age of victim: 57 years.
- Location: Hotel in Hurghada, a Red Sea beach resort.
- Snakes involved: Two reptiles described as cobras, placed around guests’ necks; one entered the victim’s trousers.
Official Statements & Responses
German police described the incident as an “unusual case” involving a venomous bite and noted that the investigation is not currently directed at the snake charmer. A spokesperson for the Kempten police emphasized cooperation with Egyptian authorities and indicated that the toxicology report is pending. Egyptian officials, when approached, said they were not aware of the incident prior to the German inquiry.
Why It Matters
The fatality highlights potential risks associated with live-animal performances in tourist settings and raises questions about safety protocols for venomous-snake handling. Cross-national cooperation between German and Egyptian law-enforcement agencies underscores the complexity of investigating incidents that occur abroad to foreign nationals. The case may prompt hotels and regulators to reassess the use of dangerous wildlife in entertainment, affecting the broader tourism industry in the Red Sea region.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
German police assert that the snake was a cobra, while Egyptian authorities have not confirmed the species. Egyptian officials claim no prior knowledge of the incident, contrasting with German statements of ongoing collaboration. The toxicology results, which would verify the presence of venom, have not yet been released, leaving the exact cause of death unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The ‘snake charmer’ then let one of the snakes crawl into the trousers” of the German man and it bit him in the leg. — German police statement
- “clear signs of poisoning” — German police statement
- “We are working together with the Egyptian authorities,” — Police spokesperson, Kempten (Bavaria)
- “According to the police spokesman, the investigation into the circumstances of the death is currently not specifically directed at the snake charmer, but is being conducted openly.” — Police spokesperson, Kempten (Bavaria)
What’s Next
German prosecutors await the toxicology report to determine the exact nature of the venom. Depending on the findings, further legal action may be taken against the performer or the hotel, and tourism authorities could consider new safety guidelines for animal-based shows.
