Who was Gianluca Di Gioia? EU employee killed in Tiger shark attack near popular Egypt resort

Gianluca Di Gioia, a Roman tourist in Egypt, has been killed in a freak accident involving a tiger shark. The incident took place in the Red Sea on Sunday, December 22.

The 48-year-old was at a popular resort at the time, with his family by his side as he celebrated his birthday the day before, on December 21. Several Italian news agencies have reported that his wife screamed for help after witnessing the shark attack Di Gioia from shore.

Not much is known about Gianluca Di Gioia, except that he was an official who worked for the European Union under the European Commission’s Joint Research Center. The Italian-born was living in France with his family, and reportedly, he married his wife in 2013. Per People Magazine, Di Gioia was employed under the European External Action Service, having joined in 2012.

All we know about Gianluca Di Gioia's death as a freak accident leaves one dead and one injured

As reported by multiple agencies, Gianluca Di Gioia was scuba diving with his friend in the sea during his visit to the Marsa Alam resort at the time. While swimming about 150 feet away from the shore, he was attacked by the tiger shark. Di Gioia's wife, Laurence, saw the commotion unfurling as she "shouted for help and a dinghy left the beach."

While the New York Post claims a 69-year-old stranger named Guiseppe Fappani attempted to save the man as he heard his cries for help, Fox Weather and People Magazine claim it was Di Gioia's friend, Peppino Fappani, also 69 years old, who tried to save him. Reportedly, the two men were scuba diving near a coral reef at the time.

Per The New York Post, however, Guiseppe's daughter told Corriere Della Sera that the two men did not know each other. She claims her father “was dragged under the water by the shark. That’s when he realized what was happening." She also revealed he was hospitalized, though he only had minor injuries. He was discharged yesterday, December 30.

Peppino, however, sustained "small bites" and “superficial wounds,” according to Corriere della Sera, after trying to negate the attack and was promptly taken to the hospital in Porto Ghalib to be treated, right alongside Di Gioia's body. However, the Daily Mail claims Gianluca Di Gioia lost his life at the hospital. Nonetheless, he sustained severe injuries to his arms and legs.

Fox Weather has reported that the crime scene has been closed off for public use until Wednesday as a precaution, Minister of the Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad has asserted. An investigation into the attack is ongoing. The Quasir Prosecutor's Office claims that the attack occurred in "deep waters outside the bathing area," which is further away from the coral reef.

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The Italian Embassy, as well as the tour operator Alpitour, located in Cairo, is looking after Di Gioia's wife and son. Reportedly, Gianluca Di Gioia planned to celebrate the New Year in Egypt before the fatal incident.

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