Two American women were injured in an “alleged shark attack” while swimming in the Bahamas, authorities confirmed. The incident took place on Friday around 6:30 p.m. in the waters of Bimini Bay, a popular tourist spot in the western Bahamas known for its beautiful beaches and fishing opportunities. The Royal Bahamas Police Force is currently investigating the reported attack, as stated in a police release.
The women were swimming when the incident occurred and were initially treated at a local clinic before being airlifted to a hospital in New Providence for further medical attention, according to the police. One of the women sustained serious injuries in the attack.
Unprovoked shark attacks are uncommon in the Bahamas, with only 34 recorded cases since 1580, as per data from the Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File. The Bahamas ranks ninth among all countries in terms of shark attacks, with the US leading at 1,640 cases, followed by Australia with 706 and South Africa with 262 incidents.
Despite the rarity of such incidents, last week's attack marks at least the third reported shark encounter involving American tourists in the Bahamas since 2023. In January 2024, a 10-year-old boy from Maryland was bitten during a shark tank expedition at a resort on Paradise Island. Additionally, in December 2023, a 44-year-old woman from Boston tragically lost her life in a fatal shark attack while paddleboarding near a beach resort.
