WELLINGTON, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- A U.S. Peace Corps volunteer has died in Vava'u after losing a leg in a shark attack in the water off a coastal village, reports reaching here from Tonga said Friday.

    Tessa Horan, 24 years old and from New Mexico, was part of a new group of volunteers to arrive in Tonga, and she settled in Tu'anuku on Jan. 18, Planet Tonga reported.

    Pesalili Kailahi, the Neiafu Police commander, said that the attack took place on Wednesday. Horan and a Tong youth swam out into the deep water to cool off after a soccer game.

    When they stopped for a breath, she was pulled down.

    Her companion noticed the submerging fin of a big fish, which he thought to be a shark.

    They swam back screaming for help, but Horan died soon after they got ashore.

    Kailahi said that the shark took Horan's right leg from the thigh down.

    Fatal shark attacks are rare in Tonga.

    Tessa's body was flown back to the capital Nuku'alofa Friday, and received by mourning Peace Corps volunteers. Enditem