Shark attack kills 13-year-old boy on popular Brazilian beach

A tragic shark attack claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy on a beach in northeastern Brazil after he was bitten on the thigh while playing in the water with friends.

The victim, Deivson Rocha Dantas, was attacked from behind by a shark at Chifre Beach, a popular seaside spot in the tourist region of Pernambuco on Brazil’s east coast. Witnesses said the incident unfolded in shallow waters — an area known both for its lively coastal culture and a long history of shark encounters, foreign media reports say.

Deivson was swiftly pulled from the sea and rushed to a hospital in the nearby city of Olinda. Despite urgent medical efforts, he died shortly after arriving due to severe blood loss. Health officials later confirmed that the injuries from the bite proved fatal.

Pernambuco has recorded a significant number of shark incidents over the years. Since 1992, authorities have documented 82 attacks in the state, 27 of which resulted in deaths. Although the species involved in this latest attack has not yet been identified, tiger sharks and bull sharks are commonly found in the surrounding waters.

Following the incident, the State Committee for Monitoring Shark Incidents (CEMIT) announced plans to step up monitoring along the coast and revive a program aimed at tracking sharks using microchips. Officials hope these measures will help reduce future risks, though specialists point out that factors such as coastal development and overfishing may be pushing sharks closer to shore.

The tragedy comes just days after another child was killed in a separate shark attack.

On January 24, 2026, 12-year-old Nico Antic died in a hospital in Australia after being attacked by a suspected bull shark in Sydney Harbour. The incident occurred on January 18 near Jump Rock in Vaucluse, where the boy had been jumping from rocks into the water. He suffered critical leg injuries and later succumbed to them in the hospital.

Both cases have renewed concerns about shark safety in coastal areas around the world.

By Tamilla Hasanova