A woman was attacked by a shark while trying to take a photo with the animal on a Caribbean beach, resulting in the loss of both her hands, The Telegraph reported.
The incident took place last Friday near Thompson Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The 55-year-old Canadian woman had waded a few yards into the water when the attack occurred.
According to local authorities, the woman had “attempted to engage” with the six-foot shark prior to the incident. The injuries required one arm to be amputated below the wrist and the other midway up her forearm. She has since returned to Canada for further medical care.
The shark species involved has not been confirmed, though reports suggest it may have been a bull shark.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. The woman’s husband reportedly jumped into the water to fend off the shark, while other beachgoers used clothing to stem the bleeding. Video footage taken by a bystander showed the shark swimming in the area for roughly 40 minutes before the attack.
Authorities stated that the tourist had been attempting to interact with the shark in shallow waters to take photographs when the attack occurred.
Shark attacks are rare in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with only one reported last year. However, officials have urged beachgoers to exercise caution.
In a related effort to promote safety, the nearby Cayman Islands banned shark feeding in 2022 due to the risks it poses to swimmers and divers.
