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Authorities Issue Warning After Tourist Has Hands Bitten Off By Shark
Authorities have issued a warning after a tourist had both hands bitten off by a shark while trying to take a picture.
A Canadian tourist suffered a severe shark attack while vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The incident, which occurred on February 7, 2025, left the 55-year-old woman with both hands amputated.
Reports suggest she attempted to photograph the shark when it attacked her near Thompson’s Cove Beach in Providenciales.
According to local authorities, the woman was wading just a few yards from the shore when the shark struck.
Officials told The New Zealand Herald: “It has been determined that the tourist had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.”
Witnesses described a horrifying scene as the woman’s husband tried to fend off the predator in an effort to prevent further injury.
Following the attack, bystanders gathered to assist, using cloths to control the bleeding.
The victim was quickly brought ashore and rushed to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.
Medical professionals later confirmed that one of her hands was amputated at the wrist while the other was severed midway down her forearm.
She has since been transported back to Canada for further treatment.
Authorities estimate the shark was around six feet long, though the species has yet to be identified.
However, some unconfirmed online reports suggest it may have been a bull shark.
Footage taken by another tourist near a beachside villa captured a shark thrashing in shallow waters close to the attack site.
Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) responded promptly to the incident, MailOnline reports.
The beach was temporarily closed, with officials advising the public to stay out of the water until further notice.
In a social media post, the DECR urged caution: “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!”
Shark attacks in the Turks and Caicos Islands are relatively rare.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF), there was only one reported unprovoked attack in the region last year, which was non-fatal.
A similar incident occurred in 2023 when a 22-year-old American woman had her foot bitten off while snorkeling near the islands. Tragically, her foot could not be reattached due to delays in emergency medical transport.
Turks and Caicos, a British Overseas Territory, is home to various shark species, including grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, and bull sharks.
The ISAF recently noted that: “2024 was an exceptionally calm year for shark bites. Worldwide, there were only 47 unprovoked attacks, down 22 from the previous year and well below the 10-year average of 70.”
Authorities continue to investigate the incident while urging tourists and locals alike to exercise caution when entering the ocean.
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