A 63-year-old American tourist was seriously injured in a shark attack while spearfishing in the Bahamas on Sunday. The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. near Big Grand Cay, located in the Abaco Islands, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Authorities reported that the man was pulled from the water with severe injuries. He was initially taken to a local clinic for treatment before being airlifted to the United States for further medical care. His current condition has not been disclosed.

Spearfishing is a popular activity in the Bahamas, where participants use a spear or harpoon to catch fish. Despite the region's reputation as a shark hotspot, shark attacks remain rare. The International Shark Attack File indicates that there have been only 34 confirmed shark attacks in the Bahamas over the past 400 years, ranking it ninth among countries for shark encounters.

In recent months, there have been other notable shark-related incidents in the Bahamas. In February, two American tourists were injured in a shark attack while swimming in Bimini Bay, a popular resort area. Additionally, a woman from Boston died in a shark attack while paddleboarding in December 2023. In January 2024, a 10-year-old boy from Maryland was hospitalized after sustaining a bite during a shark tank expedition at another resort.

In light of these incidents, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas, urging American travelers to "exercise increased caution". The advisory specifically warns visitors to be alert for sharks, noting that attacks can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.