Tourist loses both her hands in horror shark attack

A Canadian woman has suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of both hands, after a horrific shark attack off the coast of Turks and Caicos.

The terrifying incident unfolded just meters from the shoreline while the woman was attempting to take a photograph of the predator, authorities say.

Shark Attacks Tourist in Shallow Waters

The attack took place on Friday, February 7, in hip-deep waters off Blue Hills Beach on Providenciales, the main island of the Turks and Caicos archipelago.

Authorities say the 55-year-old woman, who has not been publicly named, was on vacation in the Caribbean when she encountered the shark and attempted to engage with it.

Witnesses report that as she tried to snap a photo, the animal suddenly turned on her, biting off both of her hands and taking a significant portion of her thigh.

Her family, who had been watching from the beach, were left horrified as her husband frantically fought off the shark in an attempt to save her.

Local officials estimate that the predator was between six and nine feet long and continued circling in the shallow waters even after the attack.

The species of the shark has not yet been confirmed, but experts believe it could have been either a bull shark or a tiger shark — both known for their aggressive behavior.

Emergency Response and Beach Closures

Authorities and emergency responders were quickly called to the scene, where they found the woman’s family desperately trying to stop the bleeding using towels and any materials they could find.

A statement from the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) confirmed that the woman was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where she was stabilized before being flown off the island for advanced medical care.

Following the attack, officials issued a temporary closure of beaches from Thompson’s Cove Beach to Froggies ATV in Blue Hills. The closure remained in place until Sunday, February 9, when authorities determined that the shark had moved to deeper waters.

The DECR issued a stark warning to tourists, urging them to follow safety guidelines and respect marine wildlife: “The DECR would like to urge the public to always be aware of your surroundings, follow local advisories, and respect marine life.

“Swim in designated areas, avoid murky waters, never swim alone, and do not attempt to feed marine wildlife under any circumstances.”

Turks and Caicos Shark Attacks on the Rise

This marks the fourth recorded shark attack in Turks and Caicos since 2020, highlighting a growing concern for both residents and tourists.
-September 2021 – A male tourist was bitten on the wrist by what was believed to be a seven-foot lemon or tiger shark.
-May 2023 – A 22-year-old holidaymaker lost his foot in another brutal attack.
-May 2023 – A male resident was severely bitten while snorkeling, resulting in amputation above the knee.

While shark attacks in the region remain relatively rare, officials are stressing the importance of marine awareness and precautionary measures when swimming in the ocean.

As the Canadian woman continues her recovery, her case serves as a tragic reminder of the unpredictability of wildlife encounters—and the critical importance of respecting the natural environment.

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