Grand l`Anse, Reunion Island NAME: Philip Blu

Grand l'Anse, Reunion Island
ACTIVITY: Swimming
CASE: GSAF 1998.01.25.b
DATE: Monday January 25, 1998
LOCATION: Grand l'Anse, Reunion Island
NAME: Philip Blu
DESCRIPTION: He was a 32-year-old male, a farmer from Laval, the capital of Mayenne
BACKGROUND
WEATHER: The weather was described as “favorable”.
MOON PHASE: New Moon, January 27, 1998
TIME: Mid-afternoon
NARRATIVE: Philippe Blu had arrived in Reunion the day before the incident with two
friends. On the day of the accident they were bathing on the western point of the beach at a
place called “The Shelter”, but was known for its strong currents. Suddenly his friends saw
him waving his arms, calling for help, and then he disappeared beneath the surface.
Rescuers arrived quickly but no trace of the man was found. Firemen, police, divers using a
Zodiac, a high-speed motorboat of the national sea rescue and police helicopter failed to
© Global Shark Accident File, 1998. All rights reserved. This report may not be abridged or
reproduced in any form without written permission of the Global Shark Accident File.
Petite-Île : tragique baignade à Grand'Anse
Article de S.I. du jeudi 28/01/98
Un touriste happé par des requins
Arrivé la veille dans l'île avec deux amis, tous trois hébergés chez un ami au Tampon, lundi
25/01/98 en milieu d'après-midi, Philippe Blu, agriculteur de 32 ans, originaire de Laval (chef-lieu
du département de la Mayenne), se baignait du côté de la pointe Ouest de la plage, un endroit
baptisé «l'Abri», mais où les courants sont violents. Soudain, ses amis l'ont vu agiter les bras et
appeler au secours, avant de disparaître dans l'eau. Les nombreux secours arrivés rapidement sur
les lieux (pompiers, gendarmes, plongeurs, Zodiac, vedette de la Société nationale de secours en
mer, hélicoptère de la gendarmerie) auront cherché vainement sa trace jusqu'à la tombée de la
nuit.
Dès 6h hier matin, les recherches ont repris avec autant de moyens que la veille, au large de la
plage et jusqu'à Grands-Bois, où les courants auraient pu entraîner le corps du malheureux. Vers
9h, les recherches étaient arrêtées. Sans résultat, malgré des conditions météorologiques
favorables. Ce n'est que vers 11h15 qu'un baigneur apercevra le cadavre de Philippe Blu, flottant
sur le dos à quelques mètres seulement du rivage.
Le cadavre du malheureux présentait des traces de morsures de requins. D'après les enquêteurs, il
est fort probable que le touriste ait été happé par un de ces squales qui pullulent habituellement au
large de Grand'-Anse et s'aventurent de temps en temps là où évoluent les nageurs. Ces
prédateurs auraient alors entraîné leur victime dans le fond, où le corps aurait été coincé dans des
galets. Et hier matin, un paquet de mer l'aurait dégagé…
Little Island: tragic swimming Grand'Anse
Article OBCS of Thursday, January 28, 1998
A tourist caught by sharks
Arrived the day before the island with two friends, all three housed in a friend Buffer, Monday,
25/01/1998 at mid-afternoon, Philip Blu, farmer of 32 years, from Laval (capital of Department of
Mayenne), bathing the side of the western tip of the beach, a place called "the Vault", but where the
currents are violent. Suddenly, his friends saw him waving his arms and call for help before
disappearing into the water. Numerous rescue arrived quickly on the scene (fire, police, divers,
Zodiac, star of the National Society of sea rescue helicopter from the police) have sought in vain
until his trail after dark.
From 6am yesterday morning resumed the search with as many resources as yesterday, off the
beach and up the Great Wood, where currents could cause the body of the unfortunate. Around
9am, the research was stopped. Without result, despite favorable weather conditions. It was only
around 11:15 that a swimmer's body perceive Philippe Blu, floating on his back a few meters from
shore.
The corpse of the unfortunate showed signs of shark bites. According to investigators, it is likely
that the tourist was hit by a swarm of sharks that usually off Grand 'Anse and occasionally
venturing where swimmers are changing. These predators would then have led to their victim in the
back where the body was stuck in the rollers. And yesterday morning, a heavy sea would have
emerged ...
© Global Shark Accident File, 1998. All rights reserved. This report may not be abridged or
reproduced in any form without written permission of the Global Shark Accident File.