The beaches of Alexandria have experienced turbulent sea conditions due to the “Maltam August” winds, which caused waves to rise between 2 to 3 meters and wind speeds ranging from 35 to 45 km/h. “Maltam August” refers to very strong winds hitting western Alexandria (Marsa Matrouh, El Alamein, Alexandria), blowing from the west or northwest, leading to high waves and sea disturbance, especially on the western beaches of Alexandria.

The Central Administration for Tourism and Resorts in Alexandria announced the disturbance and raised red flags on all beaches in the western sector and Al-Agami for the third consecutive day following a drowning incident at “Abu Telat” beach. Swimming is strictly prohibited, but visitors are allowed to stay on the sands of the western beaches.

On the eastern beaches, yellow flags were raised, indicating swimming only in safe areas designated by lifeguards, and no water games or boats are allowed. Beaches with completed wave barriers raised green flags.

The red flags were raised on the following beaches: Bahri, Selsela, Stanley, Gleem, Iskandar, and Asafra. Citizens are prohibited from entering the water until further notice.

Yellow flags were raised on Mahmoud Saeed, Geziret El-Dahab, Borivage beaches, and Mandara, allowing swimming only in safe zones.

These measures follow instructions from Brigadier General Ahmed Ibrahim, head of the Central Administration for Tourism and Resorts, who emphasized the ban on entering the water to ensure visitors’ safety.

Visitors are urged to comply with lifeguard instructions and enjoy sitting on the beach sands only. The Al-Agami beaches remain open for visitors on the sand but swimming is forbidden.

The western beaches of Alexandria, known as the Al-Agami beaches, are the most dangerous due to strong water currents and whirlpools caused by the area’s geography, which is the start of the northern coast and lacks protective projects.

Hanoville beach in Al-Agami is particularly difficult for swimming due to strong currents and open areas without barriers. A spot called “The Cemetery” there is extremely dangerous even for skilled swimmers.

Abu Telat beach is among the most dangerous, located near the Nile River estuary where sea and Nile waters mix, creating strong currents and continuous whirlpools year-round; swimming is prohibited due to the high risk.

Recently, the Central Administration for Tourism and Resorts has implemented directives from Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said to prevent swimmers from entering the water after swimming hours to avoid drowning incidents.

The administration confirmed strict legal measures against violators, including immediate fines and contract termination for repeated offenses or negligence.

Daily enforcement includes clearing all swimmers from the sea by 7 PM and prohibiting swimming outside designated times due to the high risk and lack of rescue support.

Monitoring teams coordinate with lifeguards to enforce these rules, raise awareness of swimming dangers outside safe times, document violations, and take legal action to ensure public safety and prioritize citizens’ lives.

Last Saturday, a drowning incident occurred at Abu Telat beach involving students from an aviation hospitality academy. Sixteen fully equipped ambulances were dispatched, resulting in three treated on-site and 21 hospitalized, with seven fatalities reported.