A distressed husband called 911 after his snorkeler wife went missing amid fears of a shark attack.
The husband and wife, who have not been identified, had gone snorkelling together in the waters of South Maui, Hawaii, US on Thursday just before noon.
According to authorities, the man noticed a shark circling near the pair but became increasingly concerned when he couldn't find his wife.
The distraught husband called 911 to report the woman missing after the duo went snorkelling around 50 yards off Keawakapu Point.
Dan Dennison, senior communications manager of the Hawaii Land and Natural Resources, confirmed officials from Coast Guard and the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement are searching for the woman.
He said yesterday: “In keeping with our standard shark communications protocols, we cannot tell you anything at this time about possible victims, their ages, genders or hometowns.
"Once we have that information, we will share it with the media. ”
In addition, firefighters are searching the area as they look to find the missing snorkeler.
While the search is underway officials have urged locals and tourists to stay away from the Mana Kai Maui resort to Ulua Point until at least midday on Friday.
They plan to continue looking until the evening, then reassess what to do on Friday, Mr Dennison said.
The communications manager added there were some witnesses on the beach but could not confirm if anyone witnessed the attack or if they have already spoken to authorities.
The communications manager added there were some witnesses on the beach but could not confirm if anyone witnessed the attack or if they have already spoken to authorities.
Mr Dennison said Maui "tends to have a lot of shark activity" as recent data from the Hawaii Land and Natural Resources shows there have been six recorded shark attacks this year.
One of the shark incidents happened in Maui, but doesn't include this one.
The last attack in Maui took place in September and saw a snorkeler lose their left arm and two fingers on their right hand after a shark attack.
The missing search comes just days after Jasmine Carney, 10, lost part of her fight foot after a shark attack at Hobe Sound Beach in Florida, US.
Fortunately, the schoolgirl managed to fend off the beast after wriggling away from the predator.
Stephanie Carney, her adoptive grandmother, said: “She came running up that beach, screaming ‘Nana! Nana! Something bit me.’ And I saw all the blood and I got the lifeguard."
