Shark panic as enormous 7ft beast seen prowling close to the shore off popular beach

A POPULAR tourist beach was closed after a shark was spotted prowling near to the shore. The 6ft beast swam right up to where sunbathers would be relaxing on the beach in France as chilling video showed just its fin sticking out as it glided menacingly through the water. The shark’s fin was seen sticking out of the water The huge beast swam right up to the shore Video taken by researchers shows the female blue shark lurking under water as by-standers watched from the shore near the deserted beach in Hyères, near Toulon. Local police were brought into make sure that the public were kept behind a safety cordon. Nicolas Ziani, founder of the Marseille Group for Shark Studies said there are usually “thousands of blue sharks offshore, especially in summer” but seeing one so close was unusual. READ MORE ON SHARKS EARLY WARNING I was attacked by a shark and it saved me from dying of cancer JAWS OF DEATH 7 shark mysteries from number of species in ocean to how beasts SMELL prey “In 17 years of experience, I have never seen this,” he told France3. “For more than 24 hours that it has been there, we do not understand its behaviour.  “Its movements are repetitive, without purpose, like if he was disconnected from his brain system.” Blue sharks can grow up to 12ft in length and have been known to attack humans. The have been known to go for humans and for boats out in sea and are therefore classified as a “dangerous” species. They generally prowl the waters of the Mediterranean, but they can also be found in British waters. Experts speculated that the female may have been unwell and on Saturday morning sadly she was found dead. “She probably died overnight, she was found on the rocks, it was quite predictable,” said Ziani. “She was a little quieter last but he continued to rubbing against the rocks and going around in circles.” Most read in News WHO IS HE? Chilling CCTV shows mystery third suspect in stabbing murder of nine-year-old TASTE FOR BLOOD Sea World orca ‘bit off man's penis & held him underwater until he died' SCHOOLGIRL 'MURDER' Girl, 9, knifed to death in front of sister while playing in the street HOUSE OF HORRORS Inside 'private prison' where monster kept wife & kids bound for 17 YEARS INTERVENTION UN issues injunction to stop Archie Battersbee's life support being turned off MERCURY RISING I had to take Boris' temperature during Covid… his reaction was unbelievable The beach has now open to the public after being closed for several days. It comes as video shows sharks circling just yards off the shore of Long Island as officials have ramped up patrols after a series of attacks. Drone videographer Joanna Steidle, who captured the footage of the predators, said she’s never seen them so close to the beach. Meanwhile beachgoers in Australia were warned to stay clear of a popular beach after fears a rotting whale carcass could attract hungry sharks. Experts are worried the dead whale could spark a deadly shark infestation at Big Beach near Mallacoota in Victoria, Australia. Authorities issued a “Dangerous Animal” warning as the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning Wildlife continue to monitor the whale. Read More on The Sun DEBT FREE I cleared £6,400 worth of debt in two years - here's how you can too SWEET DREAMS I’m a child sleep expert - my easy way to help with bedtime separation anxiety “Due to a whale carcass there could be an increase in shark activity,” the Victorian Fisheries Authority told visitors. Last month, beachgoers and surfers were warned huge sharks were stalking swimmers off a famous beach in Queensland as the annual migration kicked off. Experts managed to take footage of it under water FTVBarriers were put up to keep the public away[/caption]