A cruise ship passenger has been killed after being attacked by a shark while snorkelling in the Bahamas.

The 58-year-old woman from Pennsylvania in the US was on an excursion she’d booked with an independent tour company off Green Cay near Nassau when the attack happened, on Tuesday afternoon.

The victim was a passenger on the Royal Caribbean International ship Harmony of the Seas, on a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise.

Bahamian police spokeswoman Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings told reporters the woman was snorkelling with her family off Rose Island, on an excursion with a local tour company.

Family members and tour company staff saw her being attacked and managed to pull her from the water and into the tour boat but she could not be saved.

The beach where the attack happened has been closed and the incident is under investigation.

Royal Caribbean International issued a statement to say: “While on an independent shore excursion in Nassau, Bahamas, a guest sailing on Harmony of the Seas experienced injuries from a shark.

“After arriving at a local hospital for treatment, the guest passed away from their injuries. Royal Caribbean is providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time.”