A British tourist is fighting for his life in intensive care after a severe shark attack on the Caribbean island of Tobago. The incident occurred near the Starfish Hotel in Courland Bay on the island’s north coast, where the man was attacked just 10 meters from shore.
The victim, identified as 64-year-old Peter Smith from Hertfordshire, sustained significant injuries to his left hand, thigh, and stomach during the attack on Friday morning. Local authorities have described his condition as “critical but stable.” The attacking shark, identified by the Tobago House of Assembly as a bull shark, was estimated to be between eight and ten feet long.
Following the attack, a bounty of 10,000 US dollars was initially offered by the local authorities for the capture of the shark, though this was later rescinded.
Smith had been vacationing in Tobago with his wife and friends and was scheduled to return home on the day of the attack. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, in a Facebook press briefing, reported that Smith was stable and “doing well,” although he remained sedated in the intensive care unit at Scarborough General Hospital. Augustine detailed the medical response, noting that some reattachments, such as fingers, were performed, and extensive work was required for significant wounds on one of Smith’s legs.
The local government has taken precautionary measures following the attack, closing several beaches and coastal areas to ensure public safety. The incident has also involved coordination with the British High Commission to manage the situation effectively.
This attack adds to the global statistics of shark interactions, with the Florida-based International Shark Attack File recording 69 unprovoked attacks, 22 provoked bites, and 14 fatalities worldwide last year.
