A 10-year-old boy from Maryland was attacked by a shark while swimming in a tank at a resort in the Bahamas. The boy, who has not been publicly identified, was taking part in a shark tank expedition at Atlantis Paradise Island resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas when the attack occurred.
Boy Suffers Significant Injuries To Arm In Bahamas Shark Attack
According to police reports, the boy suffered significant injuries to his arm during the incident at around 1:30 pm on January 16th, 2024. Royal Bahamas Police Force officials stated that the child was bitten while swimming in a shark tank under supervision during what was promoted as a “safe and educational presentation.” The boy was rushed to a local hospital in Nassau for treatment of his injuries.
Doctors said the 10-year-old sustained severe lacerations to his arm but was in stable condition after undergoing surgery. The boy’s current status remains unclear, though police have said his injuries are considered serious. Officials have launched an investigation into how this could have happened during a supposedly safe, supervised shark interaction experience.
The boy was visiting Atlantis Paradise Island with his family and signed up for the resort’s shallow water shark interactions. These expeditions take place in a relatively small submerged tank that guests can pay to swim in while under trainer supervision. The resort bills these experiences as safe educational presentations. It remains uncertain what protocols may have failed to prevent the child’s injuries.
Other Recent Shark Attacks Spark Renewed Safety Concerns
This marks at least the second shark attack involving a child in the region over the past couple of years. In late 2022, an 8-year-old British girl was attacked by three sharks while snorkeling off a Bahamas beach, suffering severe injuries to her legs and hands.
That attack renewed scrutiny of shark safety protocols near tourist beaches. It also highlighted risks associated with shark feeding practices used by some resorts and tourism operators to attract sharks for tourist entertainment. Atlantis Paradise Island has not indicated whether it engages in any shark feeding activities.
| Year | Location | Victim Age | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bahamas resort tank | 10-years-old | Arm laceration |
| 2022 | Bahamas beach | 8-years-old | Legs, hands |
The attack also comes just months after several fatal shark incidents rocked Australia’s shores. Experts theorized migration pattern shifts related to climate change and warming waters have brought sharks and humans into closer, more frequent contact in recent years.
Bahamas Reliant On Ocean Tourism After Hurricane Damage
News of this shark attack dealt another blow to Bahamian tourism operators still rebuilding after suffering massive damage during 2019’s Hurricane Dorian. Tourism represents an enormous sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for around 50% of the country’s GDP.
The islands rely heavily on ocean and marine activities to draw tourists ranging from families to spring breakers. But after Hurricane Dorian inflicted over $3 billion in damage, the coronavirus pandemic also took a heavy toll on tourism over the following years.
Just as bookings and revenue seemed to be rebounding to pre-hurricane levels this past year, news of this shark attack sparked fears of setting back the progress. Some officials worried global coverage might give families reason to reconsider Bahamas vacations.
Investigation Underway As Boy Recovers In Hospital
Police have offered limited details about how the frightening attack could have happened or precisely when the boy might be discharged from the hospital. For now, officials from Atlantis Paradise Island and the Royal Bahamas Police Force have stated they will conduct a thorough investigation into the safety protocols surrounding these shark tank expeditions.
Based on most recent updates, the boy remains in stable condition after undergoing surgery on his wounded arm. Doctors continue monitoring him closely for any complications while determining precisely when he can be cleared to return home to Maryland with his family.
With the heavy reliance on ocean tourism, officials also want to quell fears by demonstrating they take guest safety seriously at one of the island’s most popular resorts. Once the investigation runs its course, the resort and investigators promise to release their full findings to avoid endangering any other young tourists who sign up for supervised swims during future vacations.
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