A snorkeller has been fatally attacked off the coast of Hadera, Israel, in what experts describe as one of the rarest shark incidents ever recorded in the Mediterranean. Authorities believe the shark responsible was a dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus), a species long considered harmless to humans in the region. Although forensic confirmation is still pending, marine biologists say the evidence strongly points to this species.
The attack occurred near the warm-water outflow from the local power station, a site that has become popular among divers due to the regular presence of large sharks. These sharks are drawn to the area by the elevated water temperatures and increased fish activity. For years, locals and tourists have flocked there for close encounters, but officials have repeatedly warned that feeding or approaching the sharks could provoke aggressive responses.
A Mediterranean First
Why This Case Stands Out
If confirmed, the Hadera incident would mark the first
recorded fatal attack involving a dusky shark in the Mediterranean Sea. While dusky sharks are found across warm and temperate oceans, they are rarely known to harm people. In most cases, encounters end without injury. This has led some scientists to call the April attack a statistical anomaly rather than an emerging trend.
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