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A 63-year-old American tourist was left with severe injuries after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing in the Bahamas on Sunday, authorities confirmed.The incident occurred shortly after 1:00 pm (local time) near Big Grand Cay in the Abaco Islands, according to a statement issued by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, according to Newsweek. “Initial reports suggest that a 63-year-old resident of the USA was spearfishing when he was attacked by a shark, sustaining severe injuries. He was taken to the local clinic for medical assistance before being airlifted to the United States for additional treatment,” the police said in a Facebook post.The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was treated at a local clinic before being flown to the US for further care. His present condition remains unknown. Authorities have not confirmed the species of shark involved in the attack.Big Grand Cay, part of the remote Abaco Islands, lies around 200 miles east of Miami, Florida, as per The Mirror. Spearfishing, a popular activity in the region.While the Bahamas is regarded as a shark hotspot, attacks remain relatively rare. Data from the International Shark Attack File shows 34 confirmed shark attacks in the country over the last 400 years, ranking it at the ninth spot among top top ten globally for shark encounters, according to the New York Post. The attack comes months after the US State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas, urging travellers to “exercise increased caution” amid reports of shark incidents and rising crime.The advisory also specifically warned, “Stay alert for sharks. Shark attacks have led to serious injuries and death.”Sharks roam widely across Caribbean waters, but most encounters do not end in attacks. Authorities have yet to provide an update on the tourist’s recovery.
