A horrific incident unfolded for San Jose nurse and mother Delia Yriarte during her vacation in the Galapagos Islands, when she was attacked by a shark while snorkeling near the islet of Mosquera. According to a NBC Bay Area report, Yriarte is currently recovering in Ecuador and struggling to return home to her 15-year-old daughter in San Jose.
TIBURÓN ATACÓ A MEXICANA EN ISLAS GALÁPAGOS EN ECUADOR MIENTRAS HACÍA SNORKELING 🦈
— México Ahora (@AhoraMex) July 7, 2023
Tras sobrevivir al ataque de un tiburón en las Islas Galápagos, la turista Delia Yriarte relató cómo fue la agresión que sufrió mientras practicaba buceo.https://t.co/UsFSM1FfNv pic.twitter.com/3bCdmTghFF
The shark attack caused serious injuries to Yriarte, with five tendon repairs and over 100 sutures in her leg. She may also require additional surgeries and tissue grafting as part of her recovery. Despite her injuries, Yriarte remains grateful that she is alive and able to share her terrifying story.
As reported by Mirror, Yriarte never saw the shark that bit her leg and caused the ocean to turn red with blood. Still, she managed to call for help and made it back to shore, where other members of the tour group assisted her.
It wasn't until Yriarte arrived at Santa Cruz Island hospital that a doctor informed her she had been attacked by a shark and would require numerous surgeries. The doctor, however, was able to confirm that Yriarte would eventually be able to walk again, although it may take months for her to fully recover.
With the assistance of family and friends, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover Yriarte's medical and travel expenses as she coordinates with the U.S. consulate and Bay Area hospitals to return home to her daughter. Despite the harrowing ordeal, Yriarte remains hopeful, saying, "I understand it's going to be a long process, but I'm just lucky that I'm still alive."
The Galapagos Islands, located about 600 miles from Ecuador's coast, are known for their ecological diversity, which inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The Islands were declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1979, and attract tourists eager to observe the unique wildlife, including sharks and whales, in the region. Although shark attacks are rare occurrences, vacationers are urged to remain vigilant while enjoying the area's natural beauty.
