Mexican diver decapitated by great white shark in first fatal shark attack of 2023

A Mexican man diving for mollusks was reportedly decapitated by a great white shark, marking the first fatal shark attack of 2023. 

Manuel Lopez was scuba diving in Mexico's Tobari Bay when the 19-foot shark attacked him on Jan. 5, TrackingSharks.com reported Thursday.

He was collecting ax tripe, which is a mollusk similar to a scallop and is found at a depth of 36 to 59 feet. The way they are pulled from the ocean floor generates sounds that may attract sharks. 

Two other fishermen were on the boat when the attack occurred around 11:30 a.m.

"He was diving when the animal attacked him, impressively ripping off his head and biting both shoulders," Jose Bernal said about the incident. 

Most local divers had not been in the ocean for several days before the incident due to warnings about sharks in the area, Bernal said.