Mallorca Beach Forced To Close As 10ft Shark Sends Tourists Running From The Sea

Panicked tourists had to flee the waters at a packed holiday beach in Majorca after a 10ft shark was spotted:

Police closed the beach on Thursday afternoon while bathers watched on as the creature continued to swim around nearby in the shallow water.

The 10ft shark, which was thought to be a tintorera or blue shark, rocked up at Cala Domingos, a sandy beach in Calas de Marjorca on the east coast of the popular island.

English and French holidaymakers could reportedly be heard shouting out from the rocks overlooking the sea, while scared children were screaming as the fish inched closer to where they were standing.

Eventually, police were filmed recovering the shark from the water, before dragging it through the sand - with at least six men seen hauling it away.

A local lifeguard organisation initially tweeted: "Police together with lifeguards and staff from Palma Aquarium have removed the animal. We fear for its life.

"Cala Domingos beach was evacuated at 3pm today/yesterday (THURS)."

It later reported that the shark was in fact okay and had been taken back out to sea, saying: "Emergency services have just informed us that the tintorera shark from Cala Domingos has been rescued alive."

Salvament Aquàtic Illes Balears

However, emergency services confirmed late last night that reports of the shark surviving were incorrect and that it had actually died, with a necroposy due to take place at Palma Aquarium.

Blue sharks are among the most common in Spain, where they have been blamed for several recent beach closures.

In June, another was spotted swimming in the waters off the popular beach of Arenal d'en Castell in Menorca. Because of that, swimmers were prohibited from going into the water for the entire afternoon.

As the shark appeared, one tourist as reportedly heard saying in English: "It's coming. Oh my God, I think it's dead."

A woman - who is believed to be a relative - then apparently replied: "No, it's not dead."

As many other tourists began screaming in the background, she added: "Every time we go to the beach something happens."

Back in May, red flags were also raised along several miles of coastline in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol, after another shark was spotted in the sea.

Last June bathers were also spotted fleeing the water in Cala Major near the Majorcan capital Palma.

Topics: World News, News, Spain, Animals, shark

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman