Minnesota woman killed in US Virgin Islands shark attack

A Minnesota pistillate died connected Thursday aft a shark chomped her limb disconnected portion she was visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Arlene Lillis, 56, of Minnesota, was pronounced dormant pursuing the attack, according to a quality merchandise from the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department.

Several radical called 911 conscionable earlier 4:30 p.m. Thursday to study a pistillate was attacked by a shark astatine Dorcsh Beach connected St. Croix.

The incidental happened astir an hr and a fractional earlier sunset.

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It is unclear what benignant of shark was progressive successful the alleged attack. (iStock)

Marine units arsenic good arsenic occurrence crews and exigency aesculapian unit were dispatched to the scene, according to police.

Fire officials confirmed the pistillate mislaid an limb during the onslaught and aboriginal succumbed to her injuries.

While it was reported determination whitethorn person been a 2nd victim, St. Croix Rescue searched the perimeter of the formation country and did not find anyone else.

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Witnesses told authorities they spotted a shark with a assemblage successful its rima pursuing the attack. (Getty)

Police person not shared if the shark has been located, oregon what led to the attack.

"Our hearts are with the household and loved ones of the victim, and with everyone who witnessed this tragedy," Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. wrote successful a statement. "We person been briefed connected the accusation known astatine this time, and we are grateful to the bystanders who acted instantly to render assistance and to the archetypal responders who worked urgently and bravely successful an effort to prevention her life."

Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach besides expressed condolences and gratitude to archetypal responders.

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It is unclear what led to Thursday's shark onslaught successful the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Getty Images)

"On behalf of the radical of the Virgin Islands, I widen our deepest condolences to the victim’s household and each who are grieving this loss," Roach wrote. "In moments similar this, we are reminded however rapidly beingness tin change. We convey the individuals connected the country who stepped guardant to help, and we commend our archetypal responders for their swift enactment and professionalism nether highly hard circumstances."

The probe is ongoing, according to authorities.

About 2 weeks earlier, a 55-year-old pistillate vanished disconnected the seashore of California, with witnesses telling authorities they saw a shark breach the h2o with what appeared to beryllium a quality assemblage successful its mouth.

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The Pacific Grove Police Department told CBS News the incidental was being investigated arsenic a imaginable shark attack, though the Coast Guard said determination was "insufficient evidence" to corroborate the lawsuit was related to the reported shark sighting. 

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report.