A 55-year-old woman underwent a double hand amputation after a shark attack during a snorkeling trip in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The incident occurred on February 7th, according to the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR).

The DECR reported the shark was approximately six feet long, though the species remains unidentified. The woman’s attempt to take a photograph with the shark from shallow water initiated the attack.

Her husband immediately entered the water to intervene, while other bystanders assisted in pulling her from the water and controlling the bleeding.

Following emergency treatment at a local hospital, she was airlifted for specialized care. The resulting injuries necessitated the amputation of both hands.

Local beaches were temporarily closed as a precaution but later reopened. The DECR issued a public safety announcement emphasizing awareness of surroundings, adherence to local advisories, respect for marine life, and safe swimming practices, including avoiding murky waters and swimming alone, and never feeding marine wildlife.

Between 2021 and 2025, four shark attacks were previously reported in the Turks and Caicos, with all victims surviving. One of these incidents, in May 2024, resulted in a leg amputation above the knee for a male snorkeler.

This attack follows another reported on the same day in the Bahamas, where two American tourists were attacked by what appeared to be a bull shark, resulting in serious injuries for one woman. Both women are expected to recover fully.

Digital’s Mollie Markowitz, Julia Bonavite and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

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