Today's Edition
PAPEETE (AFP)
A shark bit and injured a seven-year-old child swimming in waters of French Polynesia, the fire department told AFP on Saturday.
About 10 children were playing and jumping on Friday in Taiohae Bay on Nuka Hiva, the main island in the Marquesas archipelago, when a shark bit one of them on the arm and leg.
"I'm 35 years old and this is the first time I've seen this. These were long and deep wounds," said a firefighter who helped the child with serious bite wounds.
The child was taken to the island's small hospital before being airlifted to the French Polynesia hospital center in Tahiti, around 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) from Nuku Hiva.
Shark attacks are rare in French Polynesia and most commonly target underwater fishermen or people engaging in shark feeding, a prohibited activity.
