Spanish police have shared footage of a hammerhead shark that forced the closure of three beaches on Gran Canaria at the weekend.

The shark was first spotted at 5pm on Saturday at Melenara Beach on the east coast. The beach was closed, then reopened on Sunday morning. At around 1pm, police drones spotted a shark close by and the order was given to close Melenara beach again, as well as neighbouring Salinetas beach.

Later on Sunday, San Augustin beach in the south of the island was also closed after a tourist spotted what looked like a shark’s fin in the sea.

The shark was between seven and 10 feet in length. There have been very few reports of hammerhead attacks on humans. They do not actively seek out human prey, but are very defensive and will attack when provoked, according to National Geographic.

A spokesman for Telde Council said: “It’s important people stay calm and follow the instructions of the lifeguards and the authorities.”

Local reports say the beach reopened on Monday.