A shocking incident occurred recently on the beaches of the Turks and Caicos Islands, where a Canadian tourist was attacked by a shark.
This horrific event unfolded last Friday when the woman, believed to be 55 years old, was enjoying her vacation in the Caribbean.
The attack happened just yards from the shore, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries.
Details of the Attack
The woman was wading in the shallows, attempting to capture a picture of a shark, when the predator struck.
According to local authorities, she was engaged with the animal when it attacked her, and despite her husband’s brave efforts to fight the shark off, the situation turned tragic.
The victim lost both of her hands in the brutal encounter.
She was quickly helped by bystanders who rushed to her aid, applying cloths to her arms to stop the bleeding.
Witnesses reported that the woman’s family was close by during the attack, and her husband tried his best to protect her as the shark circled, trying to strike again.
One witness later confirmed that the woman was able to walk back to shore after the attack, despite being bitten in the thigh, though she thankfully did not lose her leg.
The Shark and Its Lurking Presence
The shark, estimated to be around six feet in length, is still unidentified, though there have been rumors online suggesting it could have been a bull shark.
Footage taken by a tourist showed a shark thrashing in the shallow waters near the scene of the attack, which persisted for over 40 minutes.
This eerie sight raised concerns about the predator’s presence in the area.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Local police and environmental officials quickly responded to the emergency.
The victim was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Providenciales, where doctors worked to stabilize her.
Unfortunately, she had to undergo the amputation of one hand at the wrist, and the other hand was amputated midway down her forearm.
Following the surgery, she was flown back to Canada for further medical care.
Shark Attacks in Turks and Caicos
Shark attacks are rare in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with only one unprovoked incident reported last year.
In 2023, an American woman was bitten while snorkeling, resulting in the loss of her foot.
The remote island region is home to various shark species, such as grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even tiger sharks.
Despite the occasional attack, experts have noted that 2024 saw a significant decrease in shark bites worldwide.
A Calm Year for Shark Incidents
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 2024 had been an exceptionally calm year for shark attacks, with only 47 unprovoked incidents reported globally—significantly lower than the average in previous years.
The Turks and Caicos Islands, which became a British Overseas Territory in 2002, remains a popular travel destination.
However, tourists are advised to exercise caution when swimming in waters where sharks may be present.