Beach evacuated in popular holiday hotspot after mystery fish 'attacks tourist'
A Spanish beach at a popular holiday hotspot was cleared this week after a tourist was attacked by an unidentified marine creature. A red flag was lifted on Tuesday morning (July 22) at Playa de Palma, the main beach in Majorca's capital, after a woman sustained a "severe bite" to her leg.
The holidaymaker, reportedly an 85-year-old Italian national, emerged from the water with "part of her calf torn off", according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. Lifeguards took the decision to clear the coastline to conduct a hunt for the animal, though the beach reopened roughly an hour later when no creature was discovered.
Consequently, the species behind the attack remains unknown, but marine specialists have offered their theories on the most probable culprit, reports Chronicle Live.
Fisheries Director General Toni Grau suggested to the Majorca Daily Bulletin that a triggerfish might have been responsible - a species inhabiting warm waters globally and notorious for aggressive territorial instincts.
Meanwhile, Aniol Esteban, a marine biodiversity specialist from the Marilles Foundation, proposed that a bluefish could have launched the assault. Another species thriving in warmer regions worldwide, bluefish rarely target humans but have been documented attacking when feeling under threat or occasionally confusing swimmers for prey.
Police and emergency services rushed to Playa de Palma after a woman suffered a severe bite on her leg, which was treated by two ambulances on the beach before she was whisked away to hospital. The attack left her with part of her skin torn off and a "significant gash" in a shocking incident near a bustling beach bar.
Marine experts have highlighted that shark attacks are "extremely rare" in Mediterranean waters, suggesting the recent event is unlikely to be shark-related. This summer has seen several reports of swimmers being bitten by fish on Majorca's beaches.
Holidaymakers recount painful nips on their legs and feet by small, feisty fish in shallow waters, with some speculating that climate change is pushing marine life closer to the coast due to warmer sea temperatures, an issue affecting various parts of the beloved Spanish island.
While most encounters result in minor injuries, there have been instances of more severe bites necessitating medical care.
Earlier this month, a German tourist recounted a harrowing experience where he had to hastily exit the water after sustaining a bite that caused significant bleeding, as reported by EuroWeekly.
Should you suspect you've been nipped while enjoying a dip during your holidays, experts recommend exiting the water immediately and cleansing the wound with saltwater and gentle soap where possible. Should the injury be bleeding, press firmly with a clean fabric until professional medical help can be secured.
There are also venomous marine animals to be wary of, with the NHS recommending that those wading in British waters should seek medical guidance "as soon as possible" if stung by creatures such as jellyfish. The health service suggests always visiting a minor injuries unit if the sting has resulted in intense pain that persists, or if you've been stung by a marine creature whilst holidaying in tropical locations.
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