Nuremberg, Germany, April 27 (dpa/GNA) – The death of a German holidaymaker during a performance by a so-called snake charmer at an Egyptian hotel, is now being investigated by the authorities in both countries.
A snake bit the 57-year-old from southern Germany on the leg, said a police spokesman in the Bavarian town of Kempten on Monday. The victim showed clear symptoms of poisoning and although he was resuscitated, he died shortly afterwards in hospital.
According to the spokesman, Bavarian police are investigating this unusual case because the victim was a German citizen. They are “working with the Egyptian authorities” on the case.
According to the findings so far, the 57-year-old had attended a show with his family at the hotel in the Hurghada holiday region on Egypt’s Red Sea coast in early April, during which the snake charmer had placed two snakes presumably cobras, around the guests’ necks.
He reportedly allowed one of the snakes to crawl into the German holidaymaker’s trousers. It is alleged that the snake then bit him.
The police spokesman said the investigation into the circumstances of the death is not currently specifically targeting the snake charmer, but is being conducted without prejudice.
He added that the results of the toxicological examination are still pending.
GNA