Tourist Mauled To Death By Shark On Caribbean Island

The Italian tourist died after he was bitten by a eight-foot tiger shark while swimming in the sea.

He is believed to have gone into hypovolemic shock following the severe shark bite.

Images and videos have been shared on social media, showing gruesome photos of the man lying on his back with part of his right thigh missing.

The publication say it was the first recorded shark attack on the island.

They say the bite was caused by a tiger shark, which is only second to the great white in terms of human fatalities.

Footage on social media shows the two suspect sharks swimming around the transparent water where the tourist was bitten.

Marine biologist Rodrigo Lopez said: "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."

Mauricio Valdonado, who risked his own life swimming out to bring the tourist back to shore, added: "He was on his own."

An island government spokesman said: "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."

They say: "Tiger sharks are named for the dark, vertical stripes found mainly on juveniles.

"As these sharks mature, the lines begin to fade and almost disappear.

"These large, blunt-nosed predators have a duly earned reputation as man-eaters.

"They are second only to great whites in attacking people.

"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."