Huge shark at holiday hotspot sees tourists flee - 'It's a huge beast'

A tourist beach was evacuated in a terrifying incident when a 6ft 6in long shark was spotted prowling the shoreline. Holidaymakers were urged to evacuate as the shark's fin emerged from the water just a few feet away from where people were swimming.

Bystanders gathered on the sand, capturing footage of the predator on their mobile phones. One local exclaimed: "It's a huge beast."

The shark was estimated to be around 6ft 6 inches (2 metres) in length. Lifeguards advised beachgoers to maintain a safe distance while an emergency services boat was quickly dispatched to the location.

The boat crew successfully guided the shark away from the shallow waters, where it risked being stranded, and back into the open sea.

This dramatic event occurred at La Reya Beach in Puerto de Mazarron near Murcia, Spain, last Thursday, a popular destination for up to 17 million Brits who visit the country for their summer holidays each year, reports the Mirror.

The video clip was posted on TikTok, where it quickly went viral, amassing 940,000 views and thousands of comments, as reported by NeedToKnow.

One local commented, "Between jellyfish and sharks, I've lost all desire to go to the beach."

Jesus noted, "It's a blue shark and does not normally attack humans."

"I was swimming there in the bay, I turned around and that blue shark appeared next to me," shared Miguel.

Alfred said: "It was probably in some kind of trouble, that's why it was swimming around."

Ana added: "I'm not going to Puerto de Mazarron anymore."

Earlier in 2024, a deceased shark weighing 200kg was washed ashore in Puerto de Mazarron.

Marine specialists suggested local shark encounters might be triggered by powerful currents, confusion, wounds, or the creature hunting for prey.

In the Mediterranean, varieties including the blue shark and the dogfish are the most frequently observed sharks.

Officials recommended that people should peacefully exit the water upon spotting a shark, and promptly alert lifeguards or emergency services.

This comes as an enormous 15-foot great white shark was captured on camera mere feet from a pier at a popular tourist destination.

Carlos Gauna, 45, recorded the footage on July 31 using his drone. He remarks it's uncommon to observe sharks so near to the coastline and was delighted to film the shark in its natural environment without disturbance.

"I've never seen one that big in the Santa Monica area and into Malibu that close to shore," said Gauna, photographer and owner of Malibu Artists in Ventura County.