A Canadian tourist lost both hands after a shark attacked her while she attempted to take a selfie in the shallow waters of a Caribbean beach, authorities said.
The 55-year-old woman waded a few yards into the water at Thompson Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands when a six-foot shark attacked, officials said. She was airlifted to Canada for treatment after suffering severe injuries, including the amputation of one arm below the wrist and the other halfway up her forearm.
Authorities have not confirmed the species of the shark, but local reports suggest it was a bull shark.
Her husband rushed into the water to try to fend off the shark, while other tourists used clothing to stop the bleeding, according to witnesses. Video footage from another tourist showed the shark swimming in the area for about 40 minutes before the attack.
“The shark was estimated to be approximately six feet in length. However, the species is yet to be confirmed. It has been determined that the tourist attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs,” local authorities said in a statement.
Officials say shark attacks in the Turks and Caicos are uncommon, with only one reported last year. However, Caribbean authorities continue to urge caution when swimming near marine life.
In the Cayman Islands, feeding sharks has been banned since 2022 due to the risks posed to both swimmers and divers.
“Some believe feeding sharks is beneficial for tourism, but conditioning sharks to associate humans with food increases risks for both people and marine life,” Cayman officials said.
Authorities advise visitors to maintain a safe distance from wildlife and avoid behaviors that could provoke dangerous encounters.
