Hammerhead shark forces beach closures on Gran Canaria

What happened on one of the beaches of the Canary Islands looked like scenes from a movie. However, everything was real. On Gran Canaria, a hammerhead shark swam close to the shore. Authorities banned people from entering the water and closed the swimming areas.

According to Sky News, the shark, measuring over 2 metres, was spotted on Saturday near Melenara Beach on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria.

The predator swam very close to the shoreline. Recordings posted online resemble scenes from the cult film Jaws.

Panic ensued among the beachgoers, and people quickly fled the water.

The animal was swimming close enough that the authorities decided to close the beach and issue a ban on entering the water. Moments later, the shark swam off in an unknown direction.

On Sunday, the ban also included the nearby Salinetas Beach. On Monday, both of these swimming areas were reopened.

Earlier, the British newspaper "The Sun" posted a photo showing the shark's snout almost touching the shore.

According to the TVN24 portal, the predator was being tracked by the coast guard and police. The shark was eventually found in the southern part of Gran Canaria, near San Agustin Beach. There, the beaches remain closed, and authorities are conducting aerial surveillance.

According to local media, the hammerhead shark might have been in the area because a nearby fish farm provides food for these sharks.

Sharks are increasingly being encountered in this part of the world. Local authorities in two municipalities in western Portugal, Obidos and Caldas da Rainha, have issued a warning for residents in the area. They are urging people to avoid using local swimming areas due to the presence of at least two sharks that are dangerous to humans.