A German tourist in Egypt died after a poisonous snake slithered up his pants and bit him on the leg, authorities said.
Bavarian State Police in Germany, in an April 27 news release, said the unidentified tourist was participating in a snake charmer's performance at a resort in Hurghada, a popular Red Sea destination about 310 miles from Cairo, in early April when one of the snakes crawled into his trousers and bit him on the leg. Police did not mention the name of the resort where the incident occurred.
"Two snakes - presumably cobras - were used, which were placed around the necks of the guests from the audience, among other things," police said. "As part of this snake show, the 'snake charmer' let one of the snakes crawl into the pants of a 57-year-old man, causing the snake to bite the leg of the German vacationer."
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The tourist subsequently exhibited "clear symptoms of poisoning and required resuscitation," officials said, and died shortly after arriving at a local hospital.
Cobras are known for being highly venomous, and their bite can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis.
Investigation into snake bite death ongoing
The man was on vacation with two family members, authorities said, adding that he was from the Unterallgäu region in southern Germany.
The results of a toxicological examination are pending, and Germany’s Memmingen Criminal Police Inspectorate under the direction of the Memmingen Public Prosecutor’s Office is handling the investigation, as per the news release.
USA TODAY contacted the Memmingen Public Prosecutor’s Office for more information on the incident.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tourist dies of possible cobra bite at luxury resort, police say
