Terrifying moment tiger shark spotted just after beating a tourist to death and ripping a chunk off his leg in the Caribbean

An Italian tourist was killed in a horror attack by a tiger shark, which ripped a chunk out of his leg.

Antonio Roseto Degli Abruzzi died of blood loss after being bitten by the eight-foot beast while swimming in the Caribbean.

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The 56-year-old was visiting the idyll Colombian San Andres Island, known for its beautiful white beaches and perfect snorkeling conditions.

Horrific photos show the man lying on his back with a huge chunk cut from his right thigh and blood pouring from the wound before he was taken to hospital.

Due to the severe blood loss from the bite, he went into hypovolemic shock.

It is reported to be the first recorded shark attack on the island Caribbean Island.

The attack was attributed to a tiger shark, which is second only to the great white in recorded human fatalities, although they are still extremely rare.

Videos circulating on social media show the two mostly nocturnal hunters believed to be involved in Friday’s incident swimming in the transparent water that killed the Italian holidaymaker.

Marine biologist Rodrigo Lopez said: “People are very concerned about what happened and they are not letting people go into the water.

“A witness said the man attacked was a good swimmer and had been in the sea for some time and when he went further out a second time after returning to shore he began screaming for help and was covered in blood .”

Mauricio Valdonado, who risked his own life to bring the tourist back to shore, added: “He was on his own.”

A spokesman for the island’s government said: “There are diving programs with professionals where sharks pass nearby, but nothing has ever happened.”

Instructor Mirla Zambrano, 50, added: “We are all very surprised. It is the first time a shark has attacked a tourist in San Andres.”

People are very concerned about what happened and they are not letting people go into the water

Rodrigo Lopezmarine biologist

La Piscinita, which means Little Swimming Pool in English, gets its name from the calm water and rock formation that makes it look like a natural pool enclosed in cliffs.

Visitors describe it as “a great place to swim with the fish” on Tripadvisor.

One said after a recent outing: “A wonderful place. Very crystal clear and warm water, a good place to jump in and enjoy a moment in the water.”

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Tiger sharks are the fourth largest shark species in the world.

As fast hunters, they can reach speeds of up to 32 km/h, while a female can have between 10 and 82 babies in one litter.

Their teeth are so strong and powerful that they can bite through the shell of a sea turtle or a clam.

Noted for the vertical dark stripes on their backs, they eat many types of prey, although attacks on humans are extremely rare.

Tiger sharks have been hunted by humans over the years for their fins, cartilage and oil.

However, they are not currently endangered.

San Andres, about 470 miles north of mainland Colombia, is part of Colombia but historically linked to Britain.

English settlers from Barbados and England settled in San Andres and the neighboring island of Providence in the 17th century.

The Welsh pirate Sir Henry Morgan used it as one of the centers of his operations in 1670.

After a failed Spanish invasion of the islands in 1635, they were controlled by England until 1787.