A woman on a dream vacation in the Caribbean suffered a devastating injury after attempting to “engage” with a shark, resulting in the loss of both her hands.

The tourist, who was in hip-deep water on a beach in Providenciales, the main island of the Turks and Caicos archipelago, was trying to snap a picture of the predator—estimated to be between six and nine feet long—when the shark attacked.

The incident occurred last Friday, February 7, near the eastern end of Blue Hills Beach, close to Da Conch Shack and Thompson’s Cove Beach. According to Visit Turks and Caicos Islands, the shark involved is believed to be either a bull shark or a tiger shark.

Following the attack, the Turks and Caicos Islands government issued a warning to tourists, reminding them of the potential dangers that lurk beneath its pristine waters.

Authorities Issue a Cautionary Statement

The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) released the following statement regarding the attack:

“On Friday 7th February, a tourist was injured by a shark in the waters adjacent to Blue Hills, Providenciales.

The individual was taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she was stabilized and later flown off island for further medical care.

Upon confirmation of the incident, the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) issued a beach closure notification from Thompson’s Cove Beach to Froggies ATV, Blue Hills in an abundance of caution. The beach was reopened on Sunday, February 9th at 1pm after it was determined that the shark had moved to deeper water.”

The statement further added:

“The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however, the species is yet to be confirmed.

Further to the investigation, it has been determined that the tourist had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.

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.”

Fourth Shark Attack in the Region Since 2021

This latest incident marks the fourth recorded shark attack in the Turks and Caicos since 2020.

• September 2021: A male tourist was bitten on the wrist by a seven-foot lemon shark or tiger shark.
• May 2023: A 22-year-old visitor lost his foot in another attack.
• May 2024: A male resident was attacked while snorkeling, resulting in the amputation of his leg above the knee.

The recent attack serves as a stark reminder of the importance of exercising caution while exploring the waters of the Turks and Caicos. Authorities continue to stress the need for safety measures to protect both tourists and marine life.