Shark kills mom snorkeling with family of five on Bahamas cruise, officials say

A bull shark killed a 58-year-old woman on a snorkeling trip with her family of five near Green Cay in the Bahamas, authorities reported.

The attack took place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, near Rose Island, the Royal Bahamas Police Force told ABC News. Tour boat operators and family members pulled her onto a boat to rush her to shore, but the woman died.

The family from Pennsylvania arrived on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked in the Bahamas, although the snorkeling trip was not organized by the cruise line, CNN reported.

“Royal Caribbean International is providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones at this time,” a spokesperson told Fox News.

The Harmony of the Seas ship departed Florida on Sunday, Sept. 4, for a seven-night cruise, the Associated Press reported. The ship is based at Port Canaveral, according to the cruise line.

A nearby beach has been closed and an investigation continues, CNN reported.

Bull sharks, which are known to be aggressive, can reach up to 11.5 feet and 600 pounds, National Geographic Kids reported. They live up to 16 years in the wild.

They eat fish, turtles, dolphins and other sharks. Most attacks on humans occur when sharks mistake them for prey.

Shark attacks on humans are rare, with 137 reported worldwide in 2021, according to the International Shark Attack File. The organization says 73 of those were unprovoked.

This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 9:38 AM with the headline "Shark kills mom snorkeling with family of five on Bahamas cruise, officials say."