A Canadian tourist lost both of her hands after a shark attack while snorkeling off the coast of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The incident occurred on February 7, when the 55-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, attempted to take photos with the shark in shallow waters.
According to the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), the woman tried to engage with the estimated six-foot-long shark before being attacked. The species of the shark has yet to be identified.
Reports from the New Zealand Herald state that her husband rushed into the water to fend off the shark, while nearby tourists used their clothing to stop the bleeding. She was quickly transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where she was stabilized before being flown to Canada for further treatment. One of her arms was amputated below the wrist, while the other was severed midway up the forearm.
Following the attack, authorities temporarily closed the beach, reopening it on February 9 after confirming the shark had moved to deeper waters. The DECR urged the public to follow safety precautions when swimming, advising against engaging with marine life, swimming alone, or entering murky waters.
