Two American tourists sustained injuries in a shark attack while swimming in the popular Bahamian resort area of Bimini Bay on Friday evening, according to local police. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 p.m., involved two women who have not yet been publicly identified. One of the victims suffered serious injuries, raising concerns about their conditions, as reported by CBS News.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force stated that both women initially received treatment at a nearby clinic before being airlifted to New Providence for further medical care. Medical authorities indicated that one victim will need a third surgery to address leg injuries, with her family noting she will undergo the procedure in Orlando, Florida, as highlighted by ABC News.

Although shark attack incidents can appear alarming, data indicate they are quite rare. The Bahamas has reported only 34 confirmed shark attacks over the last 400 years, according to the International Shark Attack File. Importantly, despite the presence of various shark species, including nurse and lemon sharks, swimming with experienced operators is generally considered safe.

There have been a few notable recent incidents involving American tourists. In December 2023, a woman from Boston tragically lost her life in a shark attack while paddleboarding near a resort, while earlier reports noted a 10-year-old boy being bitten by a shark during a tank expedition. Authorities are currently investigating this latest incident as part of a closer look at swimming safety in the region, as mentioned in The Independent.

As investigations continue, local officials emphasize that although shark attacks are a concern, deadly incidents are exceedingly rare in the Bahamas.

For more detailed context on the story, visit the original reports from CBS, ABC News, and The Independent.