A large shark walks among swimmers on a beach in Florida, USA.

Swimmers on a beach in the state of Florida (US) were surprised by a large shark last Mondaywho walked very close to the visitors, as shown in a video that went viral on social networks.

The video shows beachgoers running ashore off the coast of Florida’s Navarre Beach. Cristy Cox, who took the video and shared it online, told the Pensacola News Journal that the shark hunted fish.

“The shark was just trying to feed as expected and was just passed by the swimmersCox said. “Everyone was stunned when he came down the beach after the school of fish. We should all remember that this is natural and we are in his house, so stay alert!” he added.

In the video, people can be heard asking swimmers to clean the water due to the presence of the marine species. At least no one was injured.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicates that sharks are most active in Florida waters between April and October, when humans are most likely to be swimming. While sharks may be closer to shore at the time, the commission noted that shark attacks are very rare and someone in Florida is 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning than a shark.

The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File reported that there were 41 unprovoked shark bites in the US in 2022, including 16 in Florida. On the other hand, there have been about 19 shark attacks in that country so far in 2023, according to CBS news.

A shark dragged a fisherman into the water who stuck his hands in a lake in Florida’s Everglades Park

What can cause a shark to attack a person

Shark attacks have occurred in other parts of the world, like the deadly event that took place in Egypt last June in which a young man died; or even closer, in the Galapagos (Ecuador), where a Mexican tourist of American nationality suffered a leg injury after being attacked near the islet of Mosquera, which lies between Seymour and Baltra islands.

“I was approaching the coast and suddenly I felt a blow, but I didn’t really realize what it was,” Delia Yriarte said in statements to Radio Encantada Galapagos. “Then my leg felt a little more numb and heavy. When I saw a pelican approaching me, I turned around and saw there was blood,” explained the victim of the bite, which happened early Tuesday afternoon while snorkeling.

The young woman underwent surgery at the Hospital República del Ecuador, on the island of Santa Cruz, and from there she was transferred this Wednesday to the island of San Cristóbal to take a plane from the Ecuadorian Navy to the city of Guayaquil, where she will continue will recover.