San Andres shark attack: Tourist died after losing most of his leg to Tiger on picturesque island
Antonio Roseto Degli Abruzzi, an Italian tourist, was killed after being bitten by the eight-foot tiger shark while snorkeling in the Caribbean. Antonio died of blood loss since a tiger shark tore a chunk out of his leg in a terrifying attack.
The 56-year-old was in San Andres, a picturesque Colombian island noted for its stunning white beaches and ideal snorkeling conditions. Before he was rushed to the hospital, the man was photographed lying on his back with a large portion of his right leg removed and blood streaming from the incision. He went into hypovolemic shock as a result of the massive blood loss caused by the bite. It's the first reported shark attack on the Caribbean island, according to reports.
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The attack was blamed on a tiger shark, which, despite being extremely rare, is second only to the great white shark in terms of reported fatalities involving humans. Videos circulating on social media show two largely nocturnal hunters suspected of being engaged in Friday, March 18, tragedy swimming in the clear water where the Italian tourist perished.
"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," said marine biologist Rodrigo Lopez.
"He was on his own," said Mauricio Valdonado, who risked his life swimming out to bring the tourist back to land. "There are diving programmes with professionals in which sharks pass nearby, but nothing has ever happened," a spokesman for the island government stated. Mirla Zambrano, a 50-year-old diving instructor, added: "We are all very surprised. It’s the first time a shark has attacked a tourist in San Andres."
La Piscinita, or Little Swimming Pool in English, receives its name from the calm water and the rock formation that gives it the appearance of a natural pool surrounded by cliffs. On Tripadvisor, visitors describe it as a "great place to swim with the fish." After a recent trip, one person said: "A wonderful place. Very crystal-clear and warm water, a good spot to jump in and enjoy a moment in the water."
Tiger sharks are the world's fourth largest shark species. They are fast hunters, reaching speeds of up to 20 mph, and a mother can have anywhere from 10 to 82 kids in a single litter. Their teeth are so sharp and powerful that they may pierce a marine turtle or clam's shell. They are distinguished by the dark verticle stripes on their backs and consume a variety of prey, though human attacks are extremely rare. Humans have hunted tiger sharks for their fins, cartilage, and oil for thousands of years. They are not, however, in danger at this time.
San Andres, located about 470 miles north of the Colombian peninsula, is a Colombian territory with historical ties to the United Kingdom. In the 17th century, English settlers from Barbados and England arrived in San Andres and the neighbouring island of Providence. Sir Henry Morgan, a Welsh pirate, used it as a base of operations in 1670. The islands were in English possession until 1787, following a failed Spanish assault in 1635.