A Canadian woman “attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs,” the territory’s environmental department said.

A Canadian woman lost both hands in a shark attack while snorkeling in Turks and Caicos. Authorities closed beaches and issued safety warnings as similar attacks occurred in recent years.

Island officials said the victim had attempted to engage with the shark from the shallows to take photographs when the attack occurred.

The woman, 55, was enjoying a trip to Turks and Caicos last Friday morning when the horrific incident took place just a few yards from the shore.

It has been determined that the tourist had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs,” a news release states.

A woman was injured on vacation in Turks and Caicos while trying to 'take photographs' with a six-foot shark. One of the victim’s arms was amputated below the wrist, while the other was amputated at the halfway point of her forearm.

The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands said the incident occurred last Friday in the waters near Blue Hills, Providenciales.

Image via Shutterstock A woman got a bit too close to a bull shark and paid the price. The animal bit both of the woman's hands off after she tried to take a selfie with the fish. The incident happened at Thompson Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.