Sun-seekers and swimmers at a packed Cornish beach were thrown into a state of panic and forced into a rapid retreat from the water following a chilling shark sighting this week.
The incident occurred at the popular Summerleaze Beach in Bude, where dozens of people were enjoying the coastal conditions. Chaos ensued when a large, dark fin was seen cutting through the waves, alarmingly close to the shoreline.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of sudden fear as cries of "shark!" echoed along the beach. Families and children were seen rushing out of the ocean, with lifeguards and the HM Coastguard team from Bude swiftly initiating safety protocols to clear the water.
Official statements from the HM Coastguard confirmed they received multiple reports of the potential predator. "We were called at around 2.30pm to reports of a shark sighting," a spokesperson said. "Officers attended and monitored the situation, providing safety advice to the public."
While the exact species was not confirmed, such sightings, often of harmless basking sharks or porbeagles, are not uncommon in British waters. However, the proximity to swimmers caused justifiable alarm. The beach remained open, but swimmers were advised to exercise extreme caution.
The event serves as a stark reminder that the UK coastline is a shared environment with powerful marine life. Beach visitors are urged to always swim within designated zones, heed lifeguard warnings, and report any unusual sightings directly to the coastguard.
