She was in hip-deep water at a beach on Providenciales, the main island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago, when the attack occurred.
Officials from Visit Turks and Caicos Islands believe the culprit was either a bull shark or a tiger shark.
The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) released a statement saying: “On Friday 7th February a tourist was injured by a shark in the waters adjacent to Blue Hills, Providenciales.”
“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 department also noted: “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 has since urged all visitors to be mindful of their surroundings while enjoying the ocean, stating: “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.”
This latest attack marks the fourth recorded shark-related incident in the Turks and Caicos since 2020.
Almost two years later, in May 2023, another attack occurred, in which a 22-year-old visitor tragically lost his foot after a shark encounter.
Most recently, in May 2023, a local resident was attacked while snorkeling. The severity of his injuries led to the amputation of his leg above the knee.
