A tourist’s dream vacation in the Maldives took a frightening turn when she was bitten by a shark while swimming. The incident, which was captured on video, quickly went viral and sparked debates online about the risks of getting too close to wildlife in popular tourist destinations.
The shark incident
Chels, a travel vlogger, was enjoying a swim in the Maldives, surrounded by a school of fish and some sharks. In the video, a nurse shark swims up to her and bites her hand. The shark quickly releases her, seemingly realizing it made a mistake. While the situation was alarming, Chels and her partner, Antonio, later explained that the bite was not an act of aggression. Nurse sharks, they clarified, use powerful suction to feed, and the shark likely mistook Chels’s hand for food. Once it realized the mistake, it let go immediately.
Medical attention after the bite
Following the bite, Chels was treated for the injuries at a nearby doctor’s office. The shark’s bite caused damage to three of her fingers, though the injuries were not life-threatening. In the video, Chels remained calm while receiving medical care and reassured her followers that she was okay. The footage also included drone shots of the moment, showing how the shark came close to Chels and bit her.
Reactions from social media
The video quickly gained attention online, sparking a range of reactions. Some viewers expressed relief that the bite wasn’t worse, with one person commenting that Chels was “lucky to have all her fingers.” However, there were also critical comments, especially about the decision to swim so close to the sharks. One person wrote, “This happens because people feed the sharks to attract them for the perfect Instagram shot.”
Watch the video here:
Others felt that Chels had pushed her luck by swimming too close to the sharks. “Guess you should have kept your distance,” one comment read. Another added, “I hope it doesn’t hurt too much, but sorry to say you were pushing your luck for social media likes. You kind of deserved this.”
The popularity of swimming with sharks in the Maldives
Swimming with sharks has become an increasingly popular activity for tourists in the Maldives, with many tour operators offering experiences where people can swim alongside these fascinating creatures. While most of these sharks are not dangerous, this incident highlights the unpredictable nature of wild animals and the risks that come with getting too close.
Shark tourism is a booming industry in many coastal destinations, and the Maldives is no exception. However, incidents like this one remind tourists that sharks are wild animals, and even the most docile species can sometimes cause harm by accident.