Within days of three bombs exploding in the Egyptian diving resort of Dahab in the Gulf of Aqaba, local dive centres have been showered with messages from British and other divers assuring them that the outrages will not put them off visiting.

The Al Capone restaurant, which was bombed. Photo: Mark Brill

The day after the incidents, Ed Poore of Dahab's Poseidon Divers said that he had already received hundreds of emails, "almost all from British customers who have said they will be coming back regardless of this - very moving for us at this difficult time".

"Businesses are determined to carry on as usual, as to do anything else is to give in," said Poore. "I saw some incredible actions by many including instructors in this town trying to help the injured, and the community came together to deal with this action.

"Determination is high in both Egyptians and foreign workers to push on, and the Egyptian authorities will work tirelessly to deal with this."

Said Khedr of Desert Divers Team has also reported receiving hundreds of supportive emails and phone-calls from divers. "Some are even changing their holiday plans so that they can come to see us this year," he said. "Amazing - this is the Dahab spirit at work!"

It has emerged that one of the two Britons injured in the blasts is Sam Still, the freediver who holds UK records in the sport's Constant Weight Without Fins category (51m) and in Static Apnea breath hold (8min 19sec).

Still, 24, was in a party of four situated close to one of the shoreside bombs. He was transferred to hospital in Cairo for treatment to leg, ankle and neck injuries, but is expected to convalesce successfully back in Britain.

A female companion, who had been standing with Still, received a severe foot injury and has returned home to Switzerland for treatment. The others in the group, Freedive Dahab's Lotta and Peter Ericsson, were seated and escaped injury after instinctively ducking.

According to some media reports, a Swiss diving instructor is thought to have been one of three foreign nationals killed in the bombings.

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