A woman from Boston died after a vicious shark attack while boating near a renowned resort in the Bahamas, authorities confirmed.
According to a press release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the victim and a male family member had set sail from the coast near the resort on the western side of New Providence, when they were suddenly attacked by a shark.
A lifeguard from the resort spotted the attack and sprinted towards the scene in a rescue boat, joining the victim, her family, and other rescuers in an effort to save her.
Paramedics performed CPR on the victim, but unfortunately, she had suffered severe injuries to her right side. Medical personnel conducting a field assessment determined that she had no vital signs left.
The woman passed away shortly after 11 a.m. local time, as reported by the police to CNN. The authorities refrained from disclosing her name.
CNN reached out to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas for further information.
The incident occurred just days after a woman tragically died from a suspected shark attack at a Mexican resort. Emergency responders discovered the woman's body at Mercadito Bay, West Waterland.
Shark attacks, especially fatal ones, are relatively rare events. On average, sharks kill about 5 people per year in unprovoked attacks, as previously reported by CNN. The likelihood of a person suffering a lethal shark attack is less than 1 in 4 million, according to the International Shark Attack File.
Many shark attacks are attributed to mistaken identity, particularly in poorly-lit waters.
The past year saw a tragic incident involving a cruise passenger on the Bahamas, who was killed by a shark while snorkeling. In 2019, another American woman met a similar fate on the Bahamas, having been attacked and killed by three different sharks while snorkeling.
Sources:
- edition.cnn.com
Additional Insights
- Annually, around 60 to 80 unprovoked shark attacks are reported worldwide, with 1106 such cases between 1958 and 2023 in the United States, making it the country with the most reported incidents.
- Australia, known for its high fatality rate, leads in the number of fatal shark attacks, with 261 deaths between 1958 and 2023.
- Sharks often mistake humans for their natural prey, particularly in murky waters, causing hit-and-run attacks that are usually non-fatal.
- Disturbing shark feeding or engaging in activities that attract them can result in an increased likelihood of an attack.
- Sharks may attack if they feel threatened, cornered, or if they are hungry and cannot find their usual prey.
In 2024, there were 47 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide, a significant decrease from the previous year. Fatalities dropped to four in that year, with one occurrence reported in Hawaii. This 2024 data reveals that the United States had the majority of incidents, with Florida witnessing nearly 60% of all bites, with eight recorded in Volusia County. Climatic factors like warmer ocean temperatures may bring sharks closer to the shore, increasing potential human-shark encounters.
The location of the tragic incident in the Bahamas is renowned for its beauty and attracts visitors from around the world.
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