A Canadian tourist experienced a harrowing encounter with a shark while vacationing in Turks and Caicos, resulting in the loss of both her hands. The 55-year-old woman was snorkeling near Providenciales, the primary island in the archipelago, on February 7. She was attempting to photograph the 6-foot shark from the shallow waters when the incident occurred, according to the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources.
The woman was only a few yards from the shore when the shark bit her arms. The species of the shark has not been identified, but authorities speculate it could have been a bull shark. The woman’s husband, witnessing the terrifying scene, jumped into the water in an attempt to deter the shark.
Following the attack, the woman underwent surgery to amputate one arm below the wrist and the other halfway up her forearm. She was later transported back to Canada for further medical treatment. The identity of the woman has not been disclosed to the public.
On the same day, two American tourists were also victims of a shark attack in the Bahamas. The beach in Turks and Caicos where the Canadian woman was attacked was temporarily closed but reopened on February 9.
Shark attacks are not uncommon, with 88 reported globally in the previous year. The University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, which monitors such incidents, noted that 24 of these attacks were provoked by humans.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of interacting with wildlife, particularly in their natural habitats. Authorities continue to urge tourists to exercise caution when engaging with marine life.