NEWSShark Attack Near Caribbean Island Leaves Tourist Dead In 'First' Fatal Incident In San Andres
Mar. 20 2022, Published 2:00 p.m. ET
A 56-year-old tourist has lost his life in a shocking shark attack on the island of San Andres.
On Friday, March 17, Antonia Roseto Degli Abruzzi was attacked by the large fish after the animal bit a chunk out of his right thigh while he was snorkeling in La Piscinita on the Colombian island of San Andres.
According to the Daily Star, local news outlets obtained graphic photos of Abruzzi lying on the beach following the attack, with blood dripping from his wound shortly before he passed away from hypovolemic shock due to severe blood loss.
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This deadly incident marks the first-ever shark attack to happen in the popular tourist area that boasts busy hotels and diving centers.
“There are diving programmes with professionals in which sharks pass nearby, but nothing has ever happened," the San Andres government spokesman noted in a statement.
Local diving instructor Mirla Zambrano added, “We are all very surprised. It’s the first time a shark has attacked a tourist in San Andres.” Marine biologist Rodrigo Lopez also told the outlet, “People are very worried about what’s happened and they’re not letting people go into the water."
“A witness said the man who was attacked was a good swimmer and had been in the sea for quite a while and when he went further out a second time after coming back towards the shore, began to shout out for help and was surrounded by blood," the animal specialist continued.
It has been speculated that the attack was carried out by a tiger shark who was reportedly caught on camera following Friday’s incident swimming in the transparent water where the tourist was killed.
Bystander Mauricio Valdonado — who attempted to save Abruzzi by swimming out to bring him back to shore — noted of the victim, “He was on his own.”
