Tiger shark mauls tourist to death in Caribbean after eight-foot predator bites leg

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. An island government spokesman said of the incident: “There are diving programmes with professionals in which sharks pass nearby, but nothing has ever happened.” Diving instructor Mirla Zambrano, 50, added: “We are all very surprised. It’s the first time a shark has attacked a tourist in San Andres.” Tiger sharks are second only to the great white in recorded fatal attacks on humans, although they are still exceedingly rare. “But because they have a near completely undiscerning palate, they are not likely to swim away after biting a human, as great whites frequently do.” Footage circulating on social media showed the two sharks thought to have been involved in Friday’s attack swimming in the transparent water where the Italian holidaymaker was killed. “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.” Mauricio Valdonado, who risked his own life swimming out to bring the tourist back to shore, added: “He was on his own.” La Piscinita, which means Little Swimming Pool in English, gets its name from the calm water and the rock formation which makes it look like a natural pool locked in cliffs.