At least eight people were injured after being attacked by piranhas at a resort in Brazil.
The incident happened in the Taruma-Acu area of Manaus, Amazonas State, during the bank holiday on 1st May.
Adaiany Monteiro was among the victims.
The university student told local media that she was playing volleyball in a waterway with family and friends when she was attacked.
She said: “I felt a ‘shock’ on my heel, I even thought it was an electric eel.
“When I got out, I saw some people talking about piranhas and bites. I looked at my foot and saw the bite mark.”
Images taken at the scene show how several people had to have their bloodied feet bandaged up after receiving nasty bites.
Local media spoke to Dr Romes Proenca of the Mobile Emergency Care Service about what to do if bitten by a piranha.
He said: “The first thing to do when attacked is to get out of the water and try to signal the accident as quickly as possible so that other people do not get hurt.
“Do not use detergent, Merthiolate, toothpaste, or any other product.
“You can compress the area with gauze, a towel, or a clean cloth to prevent bleeding and take the person to a healthcare facility as soon as possible.
“Not seeking assistance increases the risk of tetanus and infection.”
According to fisheries engineer Daniel Bevilaqua, the waterway in Taruma-Acu has several floating restaurants that serve food.
He believes visitors may be throwing food into the water, attracting animals.
He told local media: “Often, in this environment where food is being discarded close to the floating restaurants, bathers occupy this space during the day, when the incidence of sunlight is when the piranha is most active in feeding.
“As the piranha is feeding in that environment, it ends up having to protect that area.
“Often, someone is bathing and ends up being attacked, not because he is food for the piranha, but because he is invading the space it uses to feed.”
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Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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