This blue shark is one of about 270 species of ground sharks, a group of sharks that also includes hammerhead sharks.Photo: Photo © James R.D. Scott / Getty Images.
The 26-year-old, who is from the area, was swimming with her 5-year-old daughter off the coast of Melaque when the incident occurred on Saturday, according to Rafael Araiza, the head of the local civil defense office, perThe New York Postand theAssociated Press.
The mom was reportedly attempting to push her daughter onto a floating play platform about 75 feet (25 meters) from shore when she was bitten in the leg.
Officials were offering their support during a local swimming event when they learned of the incident at sea, Civil Protection officials in the municipality of Cihuatlan said, per thePost.
Local officials said the woman was found dead at the scene and that one of her legs had been severed, according toCNN.
The woman, who also sustained a large bite wound near her left hip, died from blood loss, Ariaza said, per thePostand AP.
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The victim was identified locally as Maria Fernandez Martinez Jimenez, according to thePostandThe Evening Standard. The woman’s daughter was reportedly not harmed.
In a statement, the Cihuatlán municipal government warned people to avoid local beaches amid a red flag warning, according to CNN.
“Our priority is to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of every citizen,” the government said, per the outlet.
Local beaches were closed to swimmers as a precaution following Saturday’s deadly incident.
Jimenez was a former marine biology student, according to thePostandStandard.
source: people.com
