Giant shark prowls shore as tourist beach evacuated in British holiday hotspot

This is the frightening moment a tourist beach had to be evacuated after a 6ft 6in long shark prowls the shoreline.

Tourists were asked to the flee after the shark's Its fin was seen sticking out of the water just a few feet from where people were bathing.

Onlookers gathered on the sand and filmed the predator with their phones. One local said: “It’s a huge beast.”

They estimated that the shark was around 6ft 6 inches (2 metres) in length. It comes as the world's biggest great white shark "heads toward Nova Scotia" in a major update for tourists.

Lifeguards warned beachgoers to keep a safe distance as an emergency services boat was promptly dispatched to the scene.

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The boat crew managed to coax the shark away from the shallow water, where it was at risk of beaching, and back out to sea.

The dramatic encounter took place at La Reya Beach in Puerto de Mazarrón near Murcia, Spain, last Thursday,

Up to 17million Brits head to the country for their summer holidays every year.

The clip was shared on TikTok, where it went viral with 940,000 views and thousands of comments, as reported by NeedToKnow.

One local said, “Between jellyfish and sharks, I’ve lost all desire to go to the beach.”

Jesus added, “It’s a blue shark and does not normally attack humans.”

“I was swimming there in the bay, I turned around and that blue shark appeared next to me,” remarked Miguel.

Alfred said, “It was probably in some kind of trouble, that's why it was swimming around.”

Ana added: “I'm not going to Puerto de Mazarrón anymore.”

In early 2024, a dead shark weighing 200kg washed up in Puerto de Mazarrón.

Marine experts said local shark sightings may be caused by strong currents, disorientation, injury, or the animal searching for food.

In the Mediterranean, species such as the blue shark and the dogfish are the most commonly sighted sharks.

The authorities advised residents to calmly leave the water if they sight a shark, and immediately notify lifeguards or the emergency services.

It comes as a massive 15-foot great white shark was spotted on camera just feet away from a pier at a major tourist hotspot.

Carlos Gauna, 45, captured the footage on July 31 with his drone. He says it's unusual to see sharks so close to the shore and was pleased to capture the shark in its natural habitat without interference.

"I've never seen one that big in the Santa Monica area and into Malibu that close to shore," said Gauna, photographer and owner of Malibu Artists in Ventura County.