?
As officials in the Seychelles hunt to to destroy the vicious shark they think killed two tourists, newlywed Gemma Redmond describes her husband's "awful" screams before his death. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.
By?Kiko Itasaka, NBC News
PRASLIN ISLAND, SEYCHELLES?-- Is this paradise lost? That is the question facing all Seychellois, the people of this island nation who are stunned by two fatal shark?attacks in just two weeks.
The most recent victim, British newlywed Ian Redmond, was snorkeling when he was?killed. This tragedy took place only days after a French tourist was fatally bitten.
Anse Lazio, on Praslin Island, has long been heralded as one of the best beaches in the world. "It is the most beautiful beach. If you see it, you'll know that for sure,"?says James Lepair, assistant manager at Bonbon Plume, a popular Creole restaurant. He?fears that?business will dwindle if the shark isn't caught soon. "Ninety-five percent?of our clients are foreigners, we rely on them ... to come to Seychelles. We have to find the shark and put an end to the problem."
Taxi driver Winsley Esther agrees. The shark is the enemy. In his lilting Creole accent, he blurts out:?"We thought we could get it fast. If we do?not catch it, we don't know what will?happen next!"
The hunt is on. Local fishermen are?setting traps. Helicopters and planes ferrying tourists are diverting from their usual routes to scour the coastlines.
South African shark expert Geremy Clifton arrived to help. There is a military vessel just off the Anse Lazio and extra police are on patrol.
The giant creatures will sometimes literally make eye contact with their human observers. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
"We will do everything it takes to catch this shark,"?head of Seychelles tourism Alain St. Anges says. "Until now we did not have any experience of shark attacks in the Seychelles. We decided to bring in experts from South Africa so that we can identify and get rid of this shark."
For now, visitors can only cast longing looks at the turquoise waters and take romantic walks along the pristine shores as swimming is banned.
Kiko Itasaka / NBC News
Christophe Aggase and Laure Celent say the death of a British tourist has left them "very sad" but they would still recommend visiting the Seychelles.
That hasn't stopped Laure Celent and Christophe Aggase from enjoying their honeymoon. "It is a wonderful place, a paradise," Christophe said. "The birds, the trees and the beaches are so beautiful."
But even in their bliss, Aggase?says the shadow of the tragedy remains. "Of course, we?are here too on our honeymoon ... at the same time as this happened and we are very sad," he said. "Very sad."
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.