A woman has been injured in a suspected shark attack while snorkelling off the coast of Cornwall, HM Coastguard has confirmed. The incident occurred near Penzance on 28 July, and the woman, who has not been identified, sustained a leg injury.
HM Coastguard dispatched the Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team to meet the snorkeller at Penzance harbour, where she was handed over to the ambulance service. A spokesperson said the coastguard was notified just before 12:30pm on Thursday, July 28, and that the injury was believed to be a suspected shark bite.
The attack is thought to be the first of its kind in British waters for 175 years. It is understood the woman was on a trip organised by a local tour company to see blue sharks in the wild. Blue sharks are commonly spotted off Cornwall during summer, but attacks on humans are extremely rare, with only four fatal and nine non-fatal unprovoked incidents globally, according to the International Shark Attack File.
Shark attacks in UK waters are uncommon. In 2017, a surfer off Devon was bitten on the thumb by a smooth-hound shark, and in 2018, a fisherman was bitten by a porbeagle shark off Cornwall. Experts advise swimming with a buddy, staying close to shore, and avoiding areas with schools of fish or fishing activity to reduce risk.
