A 63-year-old American tourist has been ‘severely injured’ by a shark while spearfishing in The Bahamas, according to local news reports.
The incident is took place at around 1 pm on Sunday, 17 August, near Big Grand Cay off Abaco Island.
According to a short statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the man was taken to a local clinic for medical assistance before being transported by helicopter to the US for treatment.
The nature of the man’s injuries has not been made available, and the species of the shark has not been identified.
The Bahamas is home to a number of different species of shark, some of which, including tiger sharks and bull sharks, are considered dangerous to humans.
Despite this, shark-biting incidents or attacks are incredibly rare given the number of tourists The Bahamas supports – 11.2 million people in 2024 – many of whom participate in water-based activities.
The Global Shark Attack File lists a total of eight unprovoked incidents resulting in fatalities since 1860, including the tragic death of a newlywed woman in 2023.
