Authorities report that a shark bit a 10-year-old boy from Maryland at a resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The incident occurred while the child was “participating in an expedition in a Shark Tank at a local resort,” as mentioned in a news release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
The shark attack took place at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort, confirmed by Stuart Cove, the owner of the in-water experience company that organized the shark tank expedition, as reported by CNN. Paradise Island hosts various resorts, including the expansive Atlantis Resort.
The police reported that they transported the boy, who had suffered a bite on his right leg, to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. The victim underwent successful surgery at Doctors Hospital in Nassau, as stated by the Doctors Hospital Health System in a statement.
The statement added that the injured boy “was airlifted to the United States in stable condition to continue his care.”
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The police have not provided details about the type of shark involved in the attack, and the victim remains unidentified. CNN’s request for additional information from the police remains unanswered.
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged being “aware of reports of an injured U.S. citizen minor in Nassau, Bahamas,” according to a statement from an agency spokesperson.
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“We are greatly concerned when any U.S. citizen is harmed overseas, and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance,” stated the spokesperson. “Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.”
In response to the incident, Stuart Cove, the owner of Blue Adventures, expressed deep sadness in a statement. The company acknowledged that a child suffered a shark bite during an in-water experience and expressed deep regret about the incident.
“A dive instructor and dive guide were in the water with the guest when the incident occurred and immediately responded to provide medical attention,” Cove mentioned in the statement to CNN. Blue Adventures has initiated an internal investigation and temporarily suspended the in-water experience at the Atlantis resort during the ongoing inquiry.
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The shark attack marks the first guest-related incident for Blue Adventures since the in-water experience began operating in 2006, according to Cove. He emphasized that incidents involving interactions with marine life, even with the species of sharks included in the experience, are rare and unacceptable.
The company expressed thoughts and support for the child, parents, and others affected by the incident. A shark attack last month resulted in the death of a 44-year-old Boston woman while she was paddleboarding near a Bahamas beach resort.
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