CAIRO — Egypt has imposed a 15-day ban on sport fishing and offshore swimming near a popular Red Sea destination where a shark attack took place last weekend.

Environment Ministry officials Mohamed Salem and Beily Hatab say Monday the attack was likely caused by the combination of fishing and swimming in the same spot.

The shark attack happened off Ain Sokhna, a popular holiday destination 75 miles (120 kilometres) east of the Egyptian capital, Cairo. The two officials, who are directly involved in investigating the attack, said the Egyptian man who was bitten by a shark was swimming after bait was thrown nearby.

Hotels in the area were instructed to hire watchmen for their beaches.

Shark attacks are rare in Egypt.