A Canadian tourist recently survived a rare shark attack while visiting the picturesque shores of Turks and Caicos. The incident occurred on February 7 at a beach on Providenciales, an island in the eastern part of the territory. This attack marks only the third recorded shark incident in Turks and Caicos since 1749, a stark contrast to the 33 attacks documented in neighboring Bahamas during the same period. The attack is currently under investigation by the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force.
The tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, attempted to engage with the shark from the shallows to capture photographs. Reports indicate that the predator was approximately six feet in length, although the exact species remains unidentified.
"The 55-year-old victim was brought ashore and rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center for treatment," stated the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force.
Despite the rarity of such incidents in Turks and Caicos, this event echoes a similar attack last year when an American woman lost her leg to a shark bite while snorkeling in the area. Both attacks will be documented in the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File, which tracks shark incidents worldwide and provides an annual report.
In response to the latest attack, Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged the situation and is actively seeking further details.
“Consular officials have contacted local authorities to gather information and stand-ready to provide consular assistance,” according to Global Affairs Canada.
The Caribbean territory's environmental department provided additional insights into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
“The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however, the species is yet to be confirmed,” they reported, noting that the victim "had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs."
With around 30 different types of sharks inhabiting the Caribbean waters, encounters with these creatures remain exceedingly rare, particularly in Turks and Caicos. The Department of the Environment and Coastal Resources, along with the tourism authority, have been contacted for further comments on the incident.
