In the Bahamas, two American visitors were hurt in what appeared to be a shark attack.
On Saturday, February 8, the Royal Bahamas Police Force sent a press statement stating that they were looking into “an alleged shark attack” that included two American women.
Although their identities were not made public, authorities stated that the event occurred on Friday, February 7 at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time.
According to preliminary reports, the two women were swimming in the waters of the upscale resort enclave of Bimini Bay when the alleged incident occurred. Before “being airlifted to New Providence for further medical attention,” both received local treatment.
The news release stated that “investigations are ongoing” and that “one of the victim’s injuries is listed as serious.”
PEOPLE’s request for response on Monday, February 10 was not immediately answered by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
The women, who are now back in the United States, suffered lower body injuries, according to ABC News, which cited Bahamian officials.
One of the victim’s relatives told the outlet that she will have a third operation to fix the damage to her leg in Orlando, Florida.
Just 34 unprovoked shark attack reports have been made in the Bahamas, compared to 1,640 in the United States, according to the International Shark Attack File, which maintains a public record of shark attacks worldwide since 1580.
According to ABC News, Lauren Erickson Van Wart, 44, of Massachusetts, was killed while paddleboarding in December 2024, one of the attacks that were recorded in the Bahamas. The woman was attacked while paddleboarding close to the rear of the Sandles resort, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
In a statement at the time, Sandals said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of a guest while on a paddleboarding activity nearly a mile from the shore.” “We would like to offer the guest’s family and loved ones our sincere sympathies. We stay in constant communication with them and are doing everything we can to help them during this trying time.”
