Canary Islands: Tragic Shark Attack Leaves Tourist Dead
Tragic Shark Attack in the Canary Islands
A German tourist died after being bitten by a shark on Monday while sailing off Spain's Canary Islands, the coastguard reported. The 30-year-old woman lost a leg in the attack and succumbed to a heart attack while en route in a Spanish rescue helicopter.
Incident Details
The woman was aboard a British catamaran in the Atlantic, approximately 278 nautical miles southwest of Gran Canaria when the shark struck. Reports indicate she was swimming beside the catamaran when she was attacked.
Emergency Response
- Emergency services received the alert at 1255 GMT.
- A military plane and helicopter were dispatched.
- Contact was made with the Moroccan coastguard.
The victim was airlifted around 1800 GMT, heading for a hospital in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, where she tragically passed away.
Shark Attack Statistics
Bites by sharks are considered rare occurrences. Last year, there were only 69 confirmed unprovoked attacks globally, resulting in 14 fatalities, according to the International Shark Attack File.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.