6-Foot Shark Bites Off Woman’s Hands When She Tries to 'Engage with the Animal' and 'Take Photographs'

Mar. 15, 2025

A Bull Shark swims in dark conditions off the coast of Jupiter, Fla.Photo:Getty

Getty

A woman was injured on vacation in the Caribbean while trying to take photos with a six-foot shark, authorities said.

Officials were notified that the visitor had been injured while swimming at a beach on the Providenciales island of Turks and Caicos around 10:30 a.m. local time on Feb. 7, according to theRoyal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was “brought ashore” and taken to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center to be treated, according to authorities.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the injured female,” police wrote in a statement. “This remains an ongoing investigation.”

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further comment on Sunday, Feb. 16.

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Scenic view of the beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.Getty

The Daily Telegraph, citing authorities, reported that the woman, from Canada, had only ventured “a few yards” into the water at Thompson Cove Beach when she was attacked.

“It has been determined that the tourist had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs,” authorities told the outlet.

The woman’s husband then rushed into the water after the attack to try and scare the shark away before it could cause more injuries, officials toldThe Daily Telegraph.

The species of the shark involved in the attack is unknown, but it was “estimated to be approximately 6 feet in length,” authorities toldThe Daily Telegraph.

The beach remained closed the following day, according toanother post.

On Feb. 9, the DECRreportedthat the beach had reopened, but they advised beachgoers to remain cautious.

“The DECR issues the all clear but would like to remind the public to always exercise caution when enjoying the coastal and marine environments,” a social media graphic read.

The caption of the post added, “Stay safe in the water! 🦈 Always be aware of your surroundings, follow local advisories, and respect marine life. Swim in designated areas, avoid murky waters, and never swim alone. Let’s enjoy the ocean responsibly!”

source: people.com