Egyptian Authorities Investigate Tourists For Climbing The Great Pyramid And Taking Inappropriate Photos

Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation after a video emerged showing two tourists scaling the world-famous Great Pyramid and posing for nude and sexual photographs at the summit.

Danish photographer Andreas Hvid shared a video of himself and a woman atop the Great Pyramid of Giza as night fell over Cairo. In the video, the woman, whose face is pixelated, is seen removing her top, exposing her bra. Other images depict the couple in suggestive poses, raising concerns about cultural and religious insensitivity.

The incident has sparked outrage not only in Egypt but also in Denmark and beyond. Many feel that this act was disrespectful to the historical significance of the site. Although some officials have speculated that the footage might be fabricated, prosecutors are actively investigating to confirm its authenticity.

Egypt’s antiquities minister, Khaled al-Anani, stated that climbing the pyramids is "strictly forbidden" and labeled the actions depicted in the video as a "violation of public morality," as reported by the al-Ahram newspaper.

In an interview with the Danish tabloid Ekstrabladet, Hvid revealed that he and his companion entered the pyramid complex in late November. He had reached out to several women in Denmark to find someone willing to join him for the photo shoot, and was fortunate that one could come to Cairo on short notice.

The tourists waited until the pyramid complex became less crowded, then began their 460-foot ascent. Hvid mentioned it took them around 25 minutes to reach the summit. In his YouTube post, he explained that he did not record the hours spent avoiding guards leading up to the climb.

Upon reaching the top, Hvid described a euphoric feeling, stating, "It was the culmination of a lot of work and many chances taken." Despite some images appearing to show sexual activity, he asserted that they were merely posing for photographs. "We did not have sex and we never had it," he clarified.

According to a report from the BBC, Hvid expressed disappointment over the backlash he faced, saying, "I’m sad that so many people have become so angry." However, he noted that he received positive feedback from some Egyptians, which he felt was important to mention.

Hvid’s Instagram profile showcases numerous other posts featuring sexual themes and nude models set against various backdrops, including urban and natural landscapes.