Turks And Caicos News

A Canadian woman, aged 55, experienced a life-altering shark attack while snorkeling in the Turks and Caicos Islands, resulting in the loss of both her hands. According to her brother-in-law, Al Chavarie, the incident occurred when she attempted to take a photograph with a seven-foot bull shark while in shallow waters. The shark initially bumped into her before biting her thigh. When the woman tried to protect herself, it attacked again, severing one hand at the wrist and the other at mid-forearm. Chavarie detailed that her husband, Ralph, managed to push the shark away and helped her reach safety on the beach, where emergency responders provided first aid. She was later airlifted to Canada for surgery. The Turks and Caicos Islands Environment Department stated their investigation confirmed that the woman had attempted to engage with the shark for a photo. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the couple, having raised over $23,000 CAD. Shark attacks in the region are rare, with only four reported cases since 2021, all of which did not result in fatalities.

A Canadian woman suffered severe injuries after a shark bit off both her hands while she attempted to take a photograph off the coast of the Turks and Caicos Islands last week. The attack occurred approximately ten yards from the shore at Thompson’s Cove Beach around 10:30 am on February 7, as local authorities reported. The victim, 55, was reportedly swimming in shallow waters when the shark struck. Witnesses noted that her husband tried to fend off the shark during the attack. Disturbing images revealed a crowd gathered around the injured woman as beachgoers applied pressure to her arms to control the bleeding. She lost one hand at the wrist and the other midway down her forearm. A relative indicated that despite her injuries, she managed to make it back to the shore before receiving medical treatment. Though she was bitten on the thigh, she retained her leg. Recovery efforts are currently ongoing as officials caution beachgoers to avoid the water until it is deemed safe.

A 55-year-old Canadian tourist has lost both her hands following a shark attack that occurred on February 7 in Providenciales, a popular destination in the Turks and Caicos Islands. According to island officials, the woman had attempted to engage with a six-foot shark from shallow waters to take photographs when the incident took place. Details from her family reveal that after initially bumping into her legs, the shark returned and bit her thigh. In a desperate attempt to protect herself, she held out both hands, resulting in the shark severing one hand at the mid-forearm and the other at the wrist. Her husband reportedly intervened, managing to fend off the shark and assist her out of the water as she collapsed on the beach. The victim received stabilization treatment at a local hospital before being airlifted to Canada for emergency surgery. A GoFundMe page established by her brother-in-law has raised approximately $23,000 CAD to support the couple, highlighting the severe impact of the attack on their lives.

A Canadian woman suffered severe injuries when a shark attacked her while she attempted to take its photograph off the shore of Thompson’s Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The incident occurred on February 7, 2025, as the 55-year-old was swimming only a few yards from the beach. According to local authorities, she “attempted to engage” with the shark shortly before the attack. Witnesses reported that the woman's husband tried to save her by fighting off the shark as it circled and attempted to bite her again. Following the attack, bystanders rushed to assist her as she managed to make it back to the beach, where they applied clothing to her arms to control the bleeding. The woman tragically lost one hand at the wrist and the other halfway down her forearm. Additionally, reports indicated she received a bite on her thigh but did not lose her leg. Currently, she is receiving medical treatment in Canada. Authorities have advised beachgoers to stay out of the water until it is deemed safe.

A 55-year-old Canadian woman lost both her hands to a shark while attempting to photograph the animal near Thompson’s Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands on February 7, 2025. Witnesses reported that the incident occurred just a few yards from shore, prompting immediate concern from local authorities who confirmed the attack around 10:30 AM. According to local reports, the woman’s husband attempted to intervene as the shark circled and attacked her again. Despite the severity of the injuries, which included the loss of one hand at the wrist and the other halfway down her forearm, the victim managed to walk back to the beach where bystanders applied pressure to her wounds to stop the bleeding. She has since been evacuated to Canada for medical treatment. Observers highlighted the need for caution, with officials advising beachgoers to avoid the water until it is deemed safe.

A Canadian woman suffered severe injuries after a shark bit off both her hands while she tried to take a selfie with the animal at Thompson Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The incident occurred last Friday when the 55-year-old woman reportedly ventured just a few meters into the water and attempted to engage with the shark, a six-foot long predatory fish, according to local authorities. Emergency responders and bystanders quickly intervened, using clothing to stem the victim's bleeding before she was transported back to Canada for further treatment. Officials confirmed she underwent surgery to amputate one arm below the wrist and the other midway up the forearm. While shark attacks in the region are rare, with only one recorded last year, local authorities are emphasizing the need for caution in the waters. They have highlighted the dangers of engaging with sharks, especially in shallow waters where interactions can occur unexpectedly.

A 55-year-old Canadian woman had both hands bitten off by a shark while attempting to take a photograph in the waters off Thompson Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. According to a report by The Telegraph, the incident occurred when the woman ventured only a few yards into the sea. She suffered traumatic injuries that resulted in one hand being amputated at the wrist and the other mid-way down her forearm. Authorities reported that the shark, believed to be approximately 6 feet in length, was likely a bull shark, based on witness accounts. It reportedly circled the area for around 40 minutes before attacking. The injured woman was quickly brought ashore and transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for immediate treatment before being flown back to Canada for continued medical care. Social media has reacted strongly to the incident, with many expressing sympathy for the victim while emphasizing the dangers of interacting with wildlife in their natural habitats. Statistics indicate that there are around 83 unprovoked shark attacks annually, with some regions, notably southern Australia and the US eastern seaboard, experiencing rising numbers.

A Canadian woman, 55, suffered severe injuries when a shark attacked her while she attempted to take a photograph at Thompson Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Local authorities reported that the incident occurred last Friday when she strayed just a few yards into the water to engage with the estimated 6-foot-long shark. As a result of the attack, she underwent surgery to have one arm amputated below the wrist and the other amputated halfway up her forearm. She has since returned to Canada for further medical treatment. Witnesses noted that her husband attempted to drive the shark away while other tourists helped to stem the victim's bleeding using their clothing. Although officials have not confirmed the species of the shark, local reports suggest it may have been a bull shark. Shark attacks are exceedingly rare in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with only one reported case in the previous year. Authorities have since reminded the public to exercise caution when near water to prevent similar incidents.

A horrifying shark attack occurred in the Caribbean when a 55-year-old Canadian tourist had both hands bitten off while attempting to take a photo with the predator. The incident happened on February 7 while the woman waded through shallow waters around 200 kilometers north of the Dominican Republic, as reported by the Daily Mail. Witnesses stated that the woman was underwater trying to engage with the estimated 1.8-meter-long shark when the attack happened, which also resulted in injuries to her thigh. Despite her serious injuries, she managed to reach the shore, where bystanders used towels in an effort to stop the bleeding. Emergency services transported her to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre before she returned to Canada for further treatment. Reports suggest that her hands were bitten off at the wrists and mid-forearm. The shark involved remains unapprehended, with authorities suspecting it could be a bull shark, known for its aggressive behavior. The woman's husband reportedly intervened during the attack to protect her, fighting off the shark as it circled them.

Last month, a SpaceX Starship test flight ended in disaster when the spacecraft exploded over the Caribbean, scattering debris across the British island territory of Turks and Caicos. Residents have since been tasked with cleaning up fallen spacecraft fragments, which included wires and tiles, near their homes and on local beaches, as reported by Futurism. Local business owner Amos Lucker expressed frustration, stating, “I think [Elon Musk] should be liable for the cleanup, too,” emphasizing the unexpected burden placed on the islanders. SpaceX had previously advised residents to report any debris rather than touching it due to potential hazards. Nevertheless, one local resident, Kaine, reported that it took a week for SpaceX to respond to her cleanup efforts, during which she has accumulated over 90 kg of debris in her garage. While the Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged that the island was within a designated hazard area prior to the launch, they emphasized that no potential casualties were exceeded. With residents averaging an income of less than $30,000 annually, the incident has raised concerns about SpaceX's communication and accountability regarding its activities, as noted by various local news sources.

A shooting incident occurred late Saturday evening at Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, resulting in the deaths of American tourist Shamone A. Duncan, 50, and local insurance agent Dario Stubbs, 30. The two were caught in gunfire around 10 p.m. while Duncan was celebrating her sister's birthday. Duncan, a veteran of the Cook County Sheriff's Office with 21 years of service, was reportedly on the restaurant's rooftop when the shooting took place. Neither victim is believed to have been the intended targets, according to local police reports. A spokesperson for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police confirmed that three individuals were injured during the shooting, with one victim succumbing to injuries on-site and another at a hospital. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with gunfire erupting from across the street. Reports suggest that Stubbs was not targeted as he arrived to pick up his wife from the establishment, with his child present at the time of the incident. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and police are reviewing video footage to assist in the investigation. This tragic occurrence reflects a growing concern over gun violence in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which recorded 23 homicides in 2023 and ended the previous year with 48 murders among its population of approximately 49,000. Local authorities attribute rising violence to arms trafficking and gang-related disputes.