A black-tip shark chasing small fish through the shallows sparked panic among beachgoers in Singapore.

The marine predator swam to the surface in Sentosa Beach, causing terrified families to flee on September 1.

Footage shows the 5ft (1.5 meters) shark gliding near the shore.

A worried mum and her kids backed away while the youngsters could be heard screaming in the video.

Beachgoer Maureen Ohara said: ‘I was concerned for my kid's safety and asked her to exit the water. I grabbed my phone to record the encounter.'

Maureen said that lifeguards instructed beachgoers to leave the water as they were unsure if the shark could hurt people.

She added: 'That was my first time seeing a shark there. I suspect the lagoon's netting may have been opened.'

No one was hurt by the incident and that part of the beach was temporarily closed.

A Sentosa Development Corporation spokesman said: ‘Our Beach Patrol Officers and Sentosa Rangers were on the ground to immediately evacuate guests from the waters for their safety.'

Flags were also put up as a warning around the closed area, and drone inspections were conducted regularly after the sighting.

Blacktip sharks are fast and agile swimmers, often seen leaping out of the water during feeding frenzies. They are not typically aggressive toward humans but may be curious or defensive if provoked.