Authorities on the Hawaiian island of Maui called off the search for a 60-year-old Washington woman late Friday after she was first reported missing following a “possible” shark attack while scuba diving with her husband on Thursday.
The woman’s name has not been released, but according to the US Coast Guard, the active search in South Maui has been suspended after 17 searches over the course of 40 hours that covered an area of 306 miles.
Rescuers are searching Thursday for a woman whose husband said she went missing while snorkeling after she saw a shark off Maui, Hawaii.
(Courtesy: KMGB)
MAUI, HAWAII OFFICIALS SEARCH FOR WOMAN AFTER HUSBAND REPORTS POSSIBLE ENCOUNTER WITH SHARKS WHILE SNORKELING
US Coast Guard, first responders and Division of Resource Conservation and Enforcement officers were called to the scene around 1 p.m. after she was reported missing.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged attack remain unclear, although the husband, who also has not been identified, told authorities that he and his wife were snorkeling about 50 meters offshore when he saw a shark repeatedly swim by.
“The shark swam past several times before the man returned to shore and reported his wife missing,” the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) said in a statement on Friday.
Rescuers are searching Thursday for a woman whose husband said she went missing while snorkeling after she saw a shark off Maui, Hawaii.
(Courtesy: KMGB)
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Some reports have suggested that he and his wife battled the shark, although the authorities involved in the search have not publicly corroborated these reports.
Reports also noted that a snorkel and a piece of a bathing suit washed ashore, but DLNR spokesman Dan Dennison told reporters at a briefing on Thursday that he could not confirm ownership of the items found.
Authorities have not described the shark the husband allegedly saw, but said a 10- to 12-foot tiger shark was later seen in the area.
“First responders used personal watercraft, a rescue boat, a helicopter, and a US Coast Guard aircraft to search the area, beginning shortly after the initial 911 call,” the DLNR said.
Rescuers are searching Thursday for a woman whose husband said she went missing while snorkeling after she saw a shark off Maui, Hawaii.
(Courtesy: KMGB)
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The search continued until dusk Thursday and dawn Friday before being called off.
“DLNR, the County of Maui and other agencies and individuals involved in the search extend their condolences to the family and friends of the missing female,” the department said, noting that it is protocol not to release the names of people involved in encounters with sharks.
Neither the Coast Guard nor DNLR provided additional comment for Fox News Digital.
