Tragedy struck a Brazilian beach on Sunday, when an 11-year-old boy suffered a devastating shark attack that resulted in the loss of his left leg.
The incident occurred Sunday afternoon at Piedade Beach in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, a stretch of coastline near Recife that has long been associated with shark encounters. According to local authorities, the boy was swimming with family members when he was attacked around 1:40 p.m. local time.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as beachgoers rushed into action. Warning, although much of the gore is blurred, the video below is graphic.
The boy’s uncle, Aldemir José, told local media that he had just stepped out of the water moments before the attack. The New York Post regurgitated:
“Then I heard a strange noise, and when I turned round, all I could see was blood,” he said. “I didn’t think twice and raced into the water to get my nephew out.” He added that the child remained conscious and repeatedly begged rescuers not to let him die.
Lifeguards and emergency responders treated the boy on the beach before transporting him to Hospital da Restauração, where surgeons were forced to amputate his left leg. The latest reports indicate that he is conscious and in stable condition following surgery.
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Executive Decretary of the State Committee for Monitoring Shark Incidents Danise Alves said: “Where the boy was attacked, the sign informs that the area is subject to attacks and provides information on when swimming should be avoided.”
The species of shark has yet to be identified; however, bull, tiger, lemon, and others are common in the waters off the South American coastline.
As frightening as incidents like this are, shark attacks remain exceptionally rare compared to the millions of hours people spend in the ocean each year.
Still, Brazil’s Pernambuco region is one of the world’s most notable shark-attack hotspots. According to the State Committee for Monitoring Shark Incidents (CEMIT), Sunday’s attack was the 83rd recorded shark incident in the state since monitoring began in 1992, with 24 occurring at Piedade Beach alone.
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The attack also follows several recent incidents in the region.
In January, 13-year-old Deivson Rocha Dantas died after being attacked by a shark at nearby Del Chifre Beach in Olinda. That tragedy renewed concerns about beach safety along Pernambuco’s coastline, where warning signs caution swimmers about the risk of shark encounters.
Authorities noted that Sunday’s attack occurred in an area already marked with shark-warning signs advising swimmers to exercise caution. The species involved has not yet been publicly identified.
What’s more, the World Surf League’s Championship Tour heads to Brazil June 19th-27th for the Vivo Rio Pro. Stay tuned for that.
Related: 13-Year-Old Boy Dies in Brazil Shark Attack: ‘Ate Almost His Entire Leg’
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