Authorities issue warning after tourist has both hands bitten off by shark while trying to take picture of it

A tourist lost both her hands after trying to 'interact' with a shark during her dream holiday in the Caribbean. The woman attempted to capture an image of the top predator, estimated to be between six and nine feet in length, when the creature attacked her in shallow water at a beach on Providenciales, the primary island in the Turks and Caicos chain.

Shark bites woman's hands off after she tried to take a ... (Source: metro.co.uk)

The attack occurred on Friday, February 7, at the eastern section of Blue Hills Beach near Da Conch Shack and Thompson's Cove Beach. Experts believe the attacker was either a bull shark or tiger shark, as reported by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Turks and Caicos government subsequently cautioned visitors about the dangers present in its transparent waters. The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources Authorities released a statement saying:

"On Friday 7th February a tourist was hurt by a shark in the waters next to Blue Hills, Providenciales. The person was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where medical staff stabilized her condition before she was flown overseas for additional care."

"After confirming the incident, the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) closed the beach from Thompson's Cove Beach to Froggies ATV, Blue Hills as a safety measure. Officials reopened the beach on Sunday, February 9th at 1pm after determining the shark had moved away to deeper water."

The statement added: "The shark measured approximately 6ft in length, though its species remains unconfirmed. The investigation revealed that the tourist had tried to interact with the creature from shallow water to take pictures."

Shark attack horror as tourist, 55, loses both hands while ... (Source: www.marca.com)

"The DECR strongly advises the public to stay alert of their surroundings, follow local guidance, and show respect for marine creatures. People should swim in marked areas, stay away from cloudy waters, always swim with companions, and never attempt to feed marine wildlife under any circumstances."

This February incident marks the fourth documented shark attack in the Turks and Caicos since 2020. The first occurred in September 2021, when a male visitor suffered a bite on his wrist from a seven-foot lemon shark or tiger shark. Nearly two years later in May 2023, a 22-year-old vacationer lost his foot in another attack.

In May of last year, a male resident suffered an attack while snorkeling. The shark bite proved so serious that doctors had to amputate his leg above the knee.