Woman killed in shark attack on Reunion island

A woman has been killed in a shark attack in the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion.

The 20-year-old woman reportedly suffered serious injuries to her leg as she swam close to the beach in southwestern l'Etang-Sale, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The woman received first aid at the beach before being transported to hospital.

According to local sources, the woman died of cardiac arrest as a result of her injuries.

The Inquisitr reports that Reunion Island has one of the deadliest coastlines in the world, with 11 shark attacks occurring in the last two years, five of which were fatal.

Back in May 2013, a French honeymooner was killed by a shark while surfing off the popular beach of Brisants de Saint-Gilles in Reunion.

In July 2013, a 15-year-old girl was killed by a shark as she was swimming just metres off the beach in the bay of St Paul, in the northwestern part of Reunion.

According to the IB Times, director of public safety, Gina Hoarau, said: "A part of her body was carried away by the shark.

"The conditions of the attack are surprising. You wouldn't think that a shark would get this close to the shore."

In October 2014, a man lost his leg when he was attacked at l'Etang-Sale, the same spot where the young woman just died.