A tourist was left with deep bite wounds on his head and face after a shark attacked him just seconds into an underwater aquarium experience.
The victim entered the water wearing a diving suit after staff reportedly assured visitors that children could also take part.
Within seconds, a 10ft-long sand tiger shark reportedly bit him on the head and right side of his face, leaving seven puncture wounds approximately two centimetres deep.
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Workers scrambled to the tank to pull the heavily bleeding guest from the water before transferring him to a nearby hospital for complex wound reconstruction.
Hospital records diagnosed him with multiple animal bites from a shark, including a right temporal scalp avulsion and right facial skin laceration and contusion.
The victim, named as Mr. Bao, was participating in the ‘Blue Hole Adventure’ project at Xiangjiang Ocean Kingdom in Changsha, China, when the incident occurred on 15 May.
He is currently locked in talks with the aquarium over a compensation package, as reported by Need To Know.
The park has covered his medical costs but initially offered only £2,198 (CNY 20,000) in compensation.
Mr. Bao said it is insufficient even to cover his lost wages and negotiations are continuing.
In a statement on 15 June, a park spokesperson confirmed that representatives are in communication with Mr. Bao and that the affected project has been suspended with the shark removed from the area.
Mr. Bao shared his account via short video, highlighting the sudden nature of the attack despite the guided setting.
No other injuries were reported.
The incident has sparked renewed discussion about safety protocols in interactive aquarium experiences, where visitors can enter shark enclosures under supervision.
