A mother was killed by a shark in front of her children as she snorkeled in waters around the Bahamas on vacation.
Caroline DiPlacido, 58, from Pennsylvania had been a cruise passenger before embarking on a trip to a popular snorkeling spot near Green Cay in the northern Bahamas.
According to Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings, the woman and her family booked a tour with a "local company" and went snorkeling in the popular area of Green Cay - a private estate near the island's capital city, Nassau.
Sadly, while snorkeling, the woman was attacked in her "upper extremities" by what her husband, son, and daughter identified as a bull shark.
As reported by ABC News, DiPlacido's family and tour personnel tried to rescue her after the attack and brought her ashore. However, medical assistance at Fort Montagu later pronounced her dead.
The police official revealed that they are investigating the mother's death and said that the particular beach where she was attacked had been closed off to any type of snorkeling activities.
Royal Caribbean clarified the company was not involved in the incident and that the beach near where the ordeal took place has been closed indefinitely.
"While on an independent shore excursion in Nassau, a guest sailing in Harmony of the Seas experienced injuries from a shark," Royal Caribbean stated, per NBC News. "Royal Caribbean is providing support and assistance to the guest's loved ones during this difficult time."
According to a message obtained by People, DiPlacido was an employee at Gannon University and has been remembered as a cherished member of the community by the university Chaplain Fr. Michael Kesicki.
"Caroline was a powerful presence of kindness and friendship to colleagues, students, and the wider community and cherished many family ties to Gannon. The news is devastating, and she will be missed," the message read.
"We pray for Caroline as she crosses over to eternity. We pray for her husband, her children, her mother, and her wider family," Kesicki wrote. "Let us remember Caroline with affection and hope," they added.
In the year 2021 alone, there was a total of 137 shark-human interactions recorded worldwide in by the International Shark Attack File. The database also confirmed 73 unprovoked shark bites on humans and 39 provoked bites.
Reportedly., among the 73, more than half of the incidents happened in the United States, which has the most recorded unprovoked bites in the world. In the Bahamas, 32 incidents have been documented in the country since 1749.
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