SHARK PANIC
10ft shark that terrified tourists in Majorca dies after being dragged out of the sea ‘for it’s own safety’
Police closed Cala Domingos beach early this afternoon while bathers - including young kids - watched on in terror
A SHARK that brought panic to a Majorcan beach died yesterday after being dragged from the sea "for it's own safety".
The badly injured tintorera shark had ventured into shallow water terrifying swimmers - but had to be put down following an attempt to take it away for treatment.
7
It was initially thought the 10ft blue shark had survived and been returned to the water following the drama at Cala Domingos, a sandy beach in Calas de Majorca on the island’s east coast.
But emergency services confirmed late last night reports of it surviving were incorrect.
A vet at Palma Aquarium said the shark was in agony due to a sting from a ray when it ventured into shallow water - and was later given a euthanasia drug to put it out of its misery.
Police closed the tourist spot early yesterday afternoon while bathers, including groups of young children, watched on in terror.
7
7
Staff from the aquarium were involved in recovering the beast from the water along with police and local lifeguards.
Vet Guillem Felix said: “When we reached the area it was lying about 15 meters off the coastline in about a metre and half of water and was not moving.
“It was hardly breathing and as it was clear it was going to die, we brought it onto the sand and gave it a euthanising tranquilliser to put it out of its pain as there was no way it could be saved.”
He added: “The necropsy has been carried out this morning and it has shown that man was not to blame on this occasion.
“What had happened was that it was stung by a ray in the mouth in an area where all the nerve endings are.
“That had led to it stopping eating and becoming disorientated and eventually led to its death.”
Footage showed the animal moving through the clear blue water off the beach before coming in closer and forcing tourists out of the water.
English and French speakers could be heard shouting from rocks overlooking the sea where they took refuge - and children started screaming as the fish came closer to where they were standing.
Police were later filmed recovering it from the water and dragging it along the sand as stunned youngsters looked on.
At least six men could be seen hauling it away from the water.
7
A local lifeguard organisation initially tweeted: “Police together with lifeguards and staff from Palma Aquarium have removed the animal. We fear for its life."
The shark involved in the latest scare is understood to have been riddled with parasites.
It appeared to be disorientated when it filmed swimming around in the sea a few feet from the holidaymakers.
The fact it seemed to be ill would explain why it ended up so close to the shoreline.
Workers at a nearby beach club said it had caused scenes of panic.
Blue sharks are among the most common in Spain.
They have been blamed for a number of recent beach closures.
7
In June one was spotted off the popular beach of Arenal d’en Castell in Menorca.
Swimmers were banned from entering the water for the entire afternoon.
One tourist could be heard saying in English as the shark appeared in the surf: “It’s coming. Oh my God, I think it’s dead.”
A woman, believed to be a relative, replied “No, it’s not dead” as other tourists were overheard screaming in the background before she added: “Every time we go to the beach something happens.”
7
Red flags were hoisted along several miles of coastline in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol after one was spotted in May.And last June bathers fled the sea in Cala Major near the Majorcan capital Palma.
Extraordinary pictures showed terrified holidaymakers running out of the water as a blue shark described at the time as eight foot long headed towards families with children on lilos.
7
MOST READ IN NEWS
The same type of shark was blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker in Elche near Alicante in July 2016.
The 40-year-old victim was rushed to hospital and given stitches to a wound in his hand.
First aiders described the bite as “large” and said he had come out of the sea with blood streaming from the injury.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics