Dahab Bombings

Last Updated: 27-April-2006, Guy Venner, Dive Aid

As you are all no doubt aware by now, Dahab, Egypt, was targeted by bombers the other night. As a result I have decided to re-activate Dive Aid, to appeal for donations and to try to get information out to divers all over the world about their friends and loved ones. As after the tsunami, many people involved along with their friends found comfort in telling their stories and receiving supportive and loving emails in return.

Many of the victims of the Dahab bombings were known to me as Al Capone's, the restaurant where one of the bombs was left, is a favourite of mine and my students. As with Sharm, most of the victims were locals and it is with them in mind that I ask for donations. Survivors need money to pay their hospital bills - many of them have been taken to Sharm. Families of those who died have also had their only source of income taken from them. I will be working with Dave, Ahmed and Alana at Reef2000 to disperse these funds.

I would also like to add that divers in Dahab gave generously to the Dive Aid appeal when it was originally launched. The reports I have received thus far from them are graphic and horrifying, as they were before, so do please bear that in mind before you read them.

I am aware that I may receive criticism for not reacting to the bombings in Sharm El Sheikh last year. This was for two reasons. I was unable to get first hand reports from friends in Sharm and did not want to publish anything that I could not authenticate. Also, coming soon after the tsunami, when Dive Aid was still in full swing, I found it emotionally difficult to return to a mindset in which I had to process horror and tragedy on such a scale again. I can only apologise.

Please do not let this atrocity prevent you going to Dahab. It it one of my favourite places in the world and the people hold a special place in my heart. Without tourism they would have nothing so please check with the Foreign Office that it is safe to go and enjoy this beautiful town and its wonderful people.

Very best wishes to you all.

Guy Venner, Dive Aid 27.4.06

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