THIS is the shocking moment a great white shark attacked terrified divers after bursting through a metal cage.

The nail-biting footage was captured after two divers descended into the shark-filled waters of Guadalupe Island in Mexico to catch a glimpse of the huge beast.

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In the clip, the two thrill-seekers are seen suspended in the water in a metal cage while watching the shark swim by - before it lunges towards them.

The 11ft monster attempts to get up close and personal with the pair by trying to wriggle its way through a large gap in the structure.

The dramatic video shows the scuba divers recoil in fear as the shark squeezes its head through the bars and shows off its razor-sharp teeth, while another underwater crew watch on in horror.

After becoming wedged between the bars of the cage, the great white is seen desperately struggling to free itself, hurling the divers around in the process.

Despite its attempts to escape, the shark is said to have struggled for 25 minutes as blood began to pour from around its gills.

The distressing footage, originally captured in October 2019, shows the shark continuing to writhe in pain. It died shortly afterwards.

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Another clip of the incident was released by Mexican environmentalist Arturo Islas Allende, showed the shark sinking deeper after succumbing to its injuries.

The avid sea watcher shared the footage on social media after slamming diving company Nautilus Dive Adventures, saying the animal suffered due to negligence.

Allende hit out at the excursion operators, pointing out that the "great white shark is an animal that is protected under international laws".

He claimed the gap in the cage was far too large and that the bait to tempt the shark to edge towards the divers was being used incorrectly.

But the company insisted their cages were in "full compliance with all Mexican regulations" and that they had never seen a shark exhibit such behaviour since beginning the diving experiences in 2003.

They did however say their cages were being modified to prevent similar incidents ever happening again.

In a statement, they said they were "horrified, very sad, upset and worried for both the shark and the divers".

The Mexican National Commission of Protected Natural Areas says spacing between bars must not exceed 13.7 inches.

Owner and founder of Nautilus Dive Adventures, Captain Mike Lever, said at the time: "We never want to see any shark—or any human—ever get injured. But sometimes something really bad happens and catches everyone by surprise."

Allende said the area where the dive was being carried out is considered "the most important great white shark sanctuary on the planet". 

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