The 30-year-old woman, identified in Austrian media as Elisabeth O. from Linz, had been exploring the waters near Santa Fe Island with her husband and a guide when the attack happened.

The incident has drawn attention because diving and snorkelling in the Galápagos are generally regarded as safe, with shark attacks on visitors remaining extremely uncommon.

The woman is said to have fought desperately to free herself and ultimately managed to escape the animal.

Doctors in Tourist Group Gave Emergency Treatment

Two Canadian doctors who were part of the same tourist group immediately stepped in to provide emergency medical assistance after the attack.

The injured woman received first aid on site before being rushed by boat to Santa Cruz Island for further treatment.

From there, she was transferred by plane to the Ecuadorian mainland and taken to the port city of Guayaquil, where doctors continued emergency care.

Despite efforts to save the limb, doctors in Guayaquil were ultimately forced to amputate the woman’s right lower leg because of the severity of the injuries she had sustained in the attack.

Rare Incident in a Popular Diving Destination

The Galápagos Islands are internationally renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity and attract thousands of visitors every year for diving, snorkelling and wildlife excursions.

The waters around the islands are home to a wide variety of shark species, but attacks on humans are considered extremely unusual.

According to local reporting, there have been no previous fatal shark attacks recorded in the Galápagos, making the latest incident particularly notable.