A 35 year old FRENCH tourist has lost both her hands and suffered a severe chest wound in a shark attack in the waters of French Polynesia.

She was said to be swimming off the island of Mo’orea during a whale-watching trip on Monday when she was set upon by an oceanic whitetip shark.

During the attack, she lost both hands and suffered a severe chest wound.

The attack reportedly happened in front of the woman’s family, including her six-year-old son.

Apart from losing her hands, local media reported that one of her breasts was ripped from her body.