A 28-year-old French tourist sustained superficial injuries after being bitten by a shark while training for a triathlon near Monti Russu beach on the Italian island of Sardinia.
Unprovoked encounter in the Mediterranean
Sharks inhabit the waters surrounding Sardinia, though sightings are rare. While dozens of species live in the Mediterranean, most pose no threat to humans.
The incident occurred off the coast of Monti Russu in the northern part of the island. According to an account shared on social media and reported by Il Messaggero, the victim identified the animal as a blacktip shark.
Details of the attack
The swimmer reported that the shark ignored typical circling behavior and swam directly toward him. As he attempted to back away, the animal bit him for the first time.
The victim noted that his screaming incited the shark further, leading to a total of five bites, including wounds to his calf, knee, and arm. He managed to reach the shore on his own, where medical assessment confirmed the injuries were superficial and did not require hospitalization.
Guidelines for shark encounters
Experts emphasize maintaining calm during such encounters. Sudden movements or splashing can be misinterpreted by sharks as the distress signals of wounded prey.
Traveler Justyna Szumacher, writing in the Zoophilologica journal, advises that swimmers should avoid hovering directly above sharks, as this makes the animal feel threatened. Making direct eye contact is recommended to signal dominance, and physical contact with the animals should always be avoided.