A 57-year-old German tourist died after a cobra bit him during a snake-charming show at a luxury resort in Hurghada, Egypt, in early April. The incident occurred while the man was on vacation with two family members from the Unterallgäu region of Germany. According to Bavarian State Police, one of the snakes used in the performance crawled into the man's trousers and bit him on the leg. He exhibited symptoms of poisoning, required resuscitation, and died shortly after arriving at a local hospital.
The investigation is being handled by Germany’s Memmingen Criminal Police Inspectorate under the direction of the Memmingen Public Prosecutor’s Office. Toxicology results are pending. Egyptian authorities said they were not aware of the incident when contacted by AFP.
Cobras are highly venomous snakes, and their bites can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis. The World Health Organization estimates that 5.4 million people worldwide are bitten by snakes each year, with up to 138,000 fatalities globally. Most fatal snake bites occur in India. In recent months, at least three people have died from snake bites in Southern California, including a woman bitten while picking flowers and a man bitten while biking.
The snake-charming show was part of a hotel entertainment program in Hurghada, a popular Red Sea destination known for its upscale all-inclusive packages. Investigators noted that it is not uncommon for performers to allow snakes to interact closely with audience members, including placing them around guests’ necks.