The Turtle Beach/ Courland Bay has been temporarily closed after a 64-year-old British national was attacked by a shark while bathing in the area this morning.
Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine in a social media post a short while ago, said the beach area is temporarily closed off to the public.
No bathing or beach activities in the area is allowed at this time.
He said; “Unfortunately, a visitor to the island was attacked by shark earlier this morning in the vicinity of the Starfish Hotel.”
The incident is said to have happened around 9:15 am at a distance of 10 metres from the shore.
Augustine said the attack was carried out by what appeared to be a Bull shark, 8 to 10 feet in length and 2 feet in width.
He said the victim’s left hand had been severed from the elbow down, his left thigh was also severed and he also received lacerations to stomach.
The Chief Secretary said he has spoken to the British High Commissioner and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard has been notified and is monitoring the area.