A dramatic video has captured the moment a shark approaches tourists on a beach in Gran Canaria.
The footage shows the creature, accompanied by what appears to be a second shark, cutting through the waves towards screaming beachgoers on Monday evening.
The terrifying incident, shared on TikTok, took place on a beach in Las Palmas, a popular holiday destination in Spain’s Canary Islands.
The footage shows the shark’s razor-sharp fin slicing through the waves as it heads straight for shore, causing beachgoers to scream in fear.
The shark moves quickly into shallower water, while in the background the alarm calls of people on the sand can be heard.
A dramatic video has captured the moment a shark charges at tourists on a beach in Gran Canaria
A young woman is seen running away from the approaching shark, which comes incredibly close to shore, her fin and tail clearly visible just metres from the sand.
Eventually the shark turns around and swims back out to sea, much to the relief of the bystanders.
The incident took place on Monday evening and highlights the increase in shark sightings on popular Spanish beaches this year.
Several beaches along the coast of mainland Spain and surrounding islands have been closed this summer as a precaution due to the sightings.
In May, tourists and residents were banned from entering the sea due to fears for their safety after a shark was spotted off the beach at Arenal d’en Castell in Menorca.
The coastguard raised the red flag and called emergency services after the fin of a two-metre blue shark was spotted above the waterline, dangerously close to shore.
Shocking footage showed the shark patrolling the waters at around 3:30pm, close to a boat just off the beach.
It is believed to be the first time a shark has been sighted near a Costa beach this year.
A young woman is seen running away from the approaching shark, which comes incredibly close to shore, her fin and tail clearly visible just metres from the sand.
The shark eventually turns around and swims back to the sea, much to the relief of the bystanders
The incident occurred on Monday evening and highlights the increasing number of shark sightings on popular Spanish beaches this year
In June, terrifying footage showed a 2-metre shark swimming towards the coast of Gran Canaria, prompting the beach to be closed to swimming for fear of locals and tourists.
The youngsters could be heard screaming as the large fish approached the shoreline at great speed, its distinctive fin sticking out of the water.
Police rushed to Melenara Beach on the island’s east coast after the alarm went off at around 5pm on June 15.
Rescue workers had previously helped to clear the sea and the red flag was raised shortly afterwards.
Footage from the scene shows youths running for safety as the shark swam toward the shoreline, but at the last moment the shark returned after stretching vigorously in the water.