A TOURIST has been killed by a shark while swimming in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt.

The remains of the man, thought to be Czech, were found on Marsa Alam beach.

Holidaymakers have been warned that swimming in deep waters can make them vulnerable to attack.

Local media reported on Friday that human remains were found on the beach and the authorities confirmed the death of the man on Sunday.

The man died 12 miles north of Marsa Alam city as a result of an attack by a shark, city council chairman General Atef Wagdy told AFP.

He said the environment ministry has set up a committee to investigate the death and the health ministry was handing over the body to the Czech Republic embassy.

The man is believed to be 41 and had been holidaying with his wife and children.

Mr Wagdy said: "There is no problem in diving," but reminded people how vulnerable they are swimming on the surface of deep waters beyond the coral.

The area is renowned for its sandy beaches and coral reefs and is popular with divers exploring the coral and other marine life, including fish and sharks.

A German tourist was killed off the Red Sea coast in 2015 and in 2010 there were six recorded shark attacks in Egyptian waters including a spate of five in five days.

The 2010 attacks forced the government to close off a stretch of beach in the Sharm el-Sheikh resort for a week.

Egypt's Red Sea resort towns are popular with Brits and tourists from around the world.