Boy dies after being attacked by Shark while swimming with friends in Brazil

A 13-year-old boy has been killed after being attacked by a shark while swimming with friends at a beach on Brazil’s eastern coast, in a tragedy that has shocked the local community and tourists alike.

Deivson Rocha Dantas was playing in the sea off Chifre beach in Pernambuco, a popular tourist area, when a shark appeared and attacked him from behind. Witnesses said the animal bit the teenager on his right thigh, causing catastrophic injuries.

A bystander managed to pull Deivson from the water and tried to resuscitate him on the beach before emergency services arrived. He was rushed to the hospital following the attack on Thursday, but doctors were unable to save him.

In a statement, the State Committee for Monitoring Shark Incidents said the boy “did not survive his injuries”. Dr Levy Dalton, who treated Deivson at the hospital, said the teenager was already dead when he arrived despite desperate efforts by medical staff. He said, “He arrived at the unit already deceased’, reported PEOPLE.

“The entire team was ready when he arrived here. We took all possible measures according to advanced life support. But, unfortunately, we couldn’t resuscitate him.

“It was a tragedy, and we, the hospital team, extend our condolences to his family and friends, but unfortunately, we couldn’t do much for him.”

Dr Dalton explained that the injuries were particularly severe because the bite was to an area of the body with major arteries, causing the boy to lose a large amount of blood in a very short space of time.

Following the incident, authorities confirmed that dozens of beaches along Pernambuco’s turquoise coastline already carry shark warning signs. Chifre beach itself had four warning signs in place at the time of the attack, alerting swimmers to the risk.

In total, there are 13 signs across the town warning of the area’s shark-prone waters. Despite the warnings, the beach remains popular with locals and visitors, especially during hot weather.

The State Committee for Monitoring Shark Incidents said it would step up monitoring in response to the boy’s death. Officials also confirmed plans to revive a previously suspended programme to track sharks using microchips, allowing authorities to better understand their movements and behaviour near the coast.

Pernambuco has a long history of shark incidents. According to official figures, more than 80 shark attacks have been recorded in the region since 1992. Of those, 26 were fatal, not including the death of Deivson earlier this week.

The latest tragedy comes just weeks after another shark attack in Brazil involving a tourist who was injured while swimming.

Tayane Dalazen was freediving with two friends and a tour guide in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago when she was bitten on the leg by a nurse shark. Speaking after the incident, she described the terrifying moment the animal grabbed her.

She said, “I knew I had been bitten. I felt it shaking me by the leg. The guide had to hit it so it would let me go.” After managing to get out of the water, Dalazen was helped by the tour guide and the fishermen nearby in their boats. She then received first aid from a friend who cleaned the wound before she was taken to the hospital.

The 36-year-old was treated for her injuries and later discharged. Local authorities continue to urge caution in areas known for shark activity, particularly where warning signs are clearly displayed, as investigations into the latest fatal attack continue.