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Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beach evacuated in popular holiday hotspot after mystery fish 'attacks tourist'
The tourist was attacked by an unknown sea creature on a beach in a popular holiday destination, leading to the shoreline being evacuated as a search was carried out 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.
The Independent
23-07-2025
- The Independent
Majorca beach evacuated after elderly swimmer attacked by savage fish
A popular beach in the Spanish island of Majorca has been evacuated after an animal, initially thought to be a shark, ravaged a tourist's leg. An Italian woman, 85, rushed out of the water with a bloody gash on her left calf at Palma beach around 11.30am local time on Tuesday, local media reported. Two ambulances swiftly arrived and treated the woman at the scene, before she was rushed to a private clinic with skin loss and a severe wound. The incident took place at the Balneario 6 section of the beach. Police said her muscle tissue was not harmed but her skin had been ripped off. Lifeguards evacuated the beach and conducted a deep search to find the responsible animal using boats. Local environmental councillors supported the search, local media said. The animal was not found so lifeguards restored the green flag about an hour later. Initial reports suggested a shark was responsible but analysis of the bite, which had no teeth marks, suggested it was a bluefish instead. 'Our hypothesis is that the attack may have been caused by a bluefish,' marine biodiversity expert Aniol Esteban told local press based off photos. The bluefish is a large and predatory fish with a powerful jaw. It is often found in the Mediterranean during hotter months. The species is not known to regularly attack humans but it can be aggressive when it is feeding or feels threatened. Environmental changes and increasing water temperatures are also believed to push some marine species closer to the shore. Experts have also suggested a triggerfish could have been responsible. Triggerfish have an aggressive bite and are increasingly prevalent in Balearic shores. It comes after a man died after a shark attack off the Mediterranean coast of Israel in April. The remains, discovered after a two-day search, were identified as those of the victim, whom Israeli media named as Barak Tzach, a man in his 40s and a father of four. The number of shark bites recorded around the world last year is markedly down from 2023, according to The Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File database. In 2024, there were only 47 unprovoked attacks, down by 22 from the previous year and well below the 10-year average of 67.
Metro
22-07-2025
- Metro
Swimmers flee in terror after woman suffers wound from mystery creature
A pensioner saw skin torn off her leg in the Majorca beach attack (Credits: Tourists fled in terror after an 85-year-old swimmer was bitten by a sea creature, which then disappeared into the deep blue sea. A huge chunk of skin was torn off the leg of the Italian pensioner as lifeguards ordered people out of the sea at the British holiday hotspot of Majorca on Tuesday. Lifeguards hoisted the red flag as they warned tourists over a loudspeaker: 'Swimming is forbidden in the area for a shark attack, shark attack.' The sea creature has not been officially identified after the beast fled pursued by lifeguards on jet-skis. The victim staggered out of the sea in Playa de Palma near the island capital this morning with blood dripping from a gaping wound on her left calf around 11.30am. The horror injury suffered by the pensioner in the Majorcan sea (Credits: CRONICABALEAR/ Police said part of her skin around the wound had been ripped off but it didn't affect muscle tissue. She was treated at the scene before being taken to a private clinic in Palma. Patrolling lifeguards found no sign of the creature that caused the horror injury. Marine biodiversity expert Aniol Esteban told local press based on photos: 'Our hypothesis is that the attack may have been caused by a bluefish.' Other marine biologists said it had all the hallmarks of an attack by a triggerfish, colourful, oval-shaped marine fish which have strong-jaws and sharp teeth adapted for crushing shells. Blue sharks, which rarely bite humans but have been implicated in several biting incidents, have forced the temporary closure of beaches on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in recent years. Last year, tourists at Melenara Beach on the island's east coast were also urged to stay away from the sea after a police drone spotted a hammerhead shark A blue shark was blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker in Elche near Alicante in July 2016. The 40-year-old victim was rushed to hospital and given stitches to a wound in his hand. Most of the unprovoked shark attacks reported across the world come from the Untied States, a trend that has gone on for years. In 2022, there were 41 confirmed cases of an unprovoked attack in the US – which presented 72% of the worldwide total. Arrow MORE: easyJet's summer 2026 sale is here – these are the best destinations to book now Arrow MORE: Anti-organised crime chief mysteriously found dead in Benidorm swimming pool Arrow MORE: 7 of the most thrilling TV shows to watch for Shark Week
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Shark attack fears off Majorca holiday beach as tourist limps from water with bloody leg wound sparking red flag warning
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BATHERS have been ordered out of the sea at a Majorcan beach after a tourist suffered a leg wound at the hands of a mystery creature. Lifeguards raised a red flag and warned over a loudspeaker in in English: 'Swimming is forbidden in the area for a shark attack, shark attack." Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Bathers were ordered out of the sea at a Majorca beach Credit: Solarpix 2 It is not clear whether a shark had been to blame Credit: Solarpix However, it is not clear whether a shark, identified as a possible blue shark or tintorera, had been to blame. The 85-year-old victim, an Italian woman, emerged from the sea at the beach in Playa de Palma around 11.30am this morning. She had blood dripping from a wound to her left calf. Part of her skin around the wound had been ripped off but it didn't affect muscle tissue, according to cops. She was treated at the scene before being taken to a private clinic in Palma. Lifeguards on jet skis patrolled the sea in search of what could have caused her injury. The part of the beach where the drama occurred is known as Balneario 6. Sunbathers were allowed back into the water around an hour after the incident. Lifeguards found no sign of a shark, stingray or anything else that has been suggested as the cause of the woman's wounds. Marine biodiversity expert Aniol Esteban told local press based on photos of the injury: "Our hypothesis is that the attack may have been caused by a bluefish." Shark attack off Brit hols hotspot Canary Islands as surfer mauled by beast & left with deep gashes on leg Blue sharks, which rarely bite humans but have been implicated in several biting incidents, have forced the temporary closure of beaches on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in recent years. A blue shark was blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker in Elche near Alicante in July 2016. The 40-year-old victim was rushed to hospital and given stitches to a wound in his hand. First aiders described the bite as 'large' and said he had come out of the sea with blood streaming from the injury. In June 2023, a fully grown blue shark measuring seven feet caused panic off the Costa Blanca beach south of Alicante. Bathers were filmed trying to run to safety through waist-high water as it neared the shoreline. Lifeguards blew on their whistles to warn people to get out of the sea as quickly as possible. It comes after a surfer was bitten in a horror shark attack just off the second largest Canary island. It is not known if he fought off the shark, but he was able to scramble back to shore. He was mauled on Sunday around two miles off Fuerteventura near the Los Molinos area - a popular spot on the western side of the island. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Shark attack fears off Majorca holiday beach as tourist limps from water with bloody leg wound sparking red flag warning
BATHERS have been ordered out of the sea at a Majorcan beach after a tourist suffered a leg wound at the hands of a mystery creature. Lifeguards raised a red flag and warned over a loudspeaker in in English: 'Swimming is forbidden in the area for a shark attack, shark attack." Advertisement 2 Bathers were ordered out of the sea at a Majorca beach Credit: Solarpix 2 It is not clear whether a shark had been to blame Credit: Solarpix However, it is not clear whether a shark, identified as a possible blue shark or tintorera, had been to blame. The 85-year-old victim, an Italian woman, emerged from the sea at the beach in Playa de Palma around 11.30am this morning. She had blood dripping from a wound to her left calf. Part of her skin around the wound had been ripped off but it didn't affect muscle tissue, according to cops. Advertisement She was treated at the scene before being taken to a private clinic in Palma. Lifeguards on jet skis patrolled the sea in search of what could have caused her injury. The part of the beach where the drama occurred is known as Balneario 6. Sunbathers were allowed back into the water around an hour after the incident. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Lifeguards found no sign of a shark, stingray or anything else that has been suggested as the cause of the woman's wounds. Marine biodiversity expert Aniol Esteban told local press based on photos of the injury: "Our hypothesis is that the attack may have been caused by a bluefish." Shark attack off Brit hols hotspot Canary Islands as surfer mauled by beast & left with deep gashes on leg Blue sharks, which rarely bite humans but have been implicated in several biting incidents, have forced the temporary closure of beaches on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in recent years. A blue shark was blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker in Elche near Alicante in July 2016. Advertisement The 40-year-old victim was rushed to hospital and given stitches to a wound in his hand. First aiders described the bite as 'large' and said he had come out of the sea with blood streaming from the injury. In June 2023, a fully grown blue shark measuring seven feet caused panic off the Costa Blanca beach south of Alicante. Bathers were filmed trying to run to safety through waist-high water as it neared the shoreline. Advertisement Lifeguards blew on their whistles to warn people to get out of the sea as quickly as possible. It comes after It is not known if he fought off the shark, but he was able to scramble back to shore. He was mauled on Sunday around two miles off Fuerteventura near the Los Molinos area - a popular spot on the western side of the island. Advertisement More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Read more on the Irish Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
