Shark sighting sparks beach drama in Mazarrón
Bathers rush out of the water as two-metre shark swims close to the shore in Puerto de Mazarrón
Swimmers enjoying a sunny afternoon at La Reya beach in Puerto de Mazarrón got quite a shock on Thursday August 7 when a shark, estimated to be around two metres long, appeared just metres from the shoreline.The animal was spotted at about 3pm, causing alarm among bathers who quickly scrambled out of the sea. But what began as a moment of panic soon turned into curiosity, as dozens of onlookers gathered to get a closer look and snap photos of the unexpected visitor.
Emergency services were called to the scene and responded by deploying a boat to guide the shark safely back into deeper waters. Authorities confirmed the animal had become disoriented in the shallows and was able to swim away without incident.
This isn’t the first time a shark has caused a stir along the Murcia coastline. Back in early 2024, another shark, weighing around 200 kilos, was found dead on nearby Rihuete beach. That specimen had reportedly been seen alive just days earlier near La Azohía, off the coast of Cartagena.
Incidents like this have occurred periodically across Spain over recent months. In July, a paddle boarder was bitten by a shark while out at sea in the Canary Islands, and around the same time, a suspected shark sighting forced the closure of a beach in Mallorca. Earlier still in May, beachgoers on the Costa del Sol watched in amazement as a large shark swam close to the shore near Marbella.
Experts say these sightings are often the result of sharks becoming confused in shallow water or straying from their normal routes, rather than any sign of aggressive behaviour.
Still, with so many encounters happening in such a short space of time, it’s no wonder bathers are keeping a closer eye on the water this summer.
Image: alon/Pixabay
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