Horrified swimmers in Brazil have been left with chunks torn out of their flesh after being attacked by schools of hungry piranhas.
Gruesome photographs of the injuries show the ring finger of one man’s left hand chewed almost down to the bone.
Other images show deep bites on toes and streaming blood after the victims were rushed to hospital.
The attacks all happened on a stretch of the rainforest River Acu near Pendencias. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, on 21st January.
The beauty spot is popular with both locals and holidaymakers.
But as the swimmers jumped in for a dip they found themselves surrounded by scores of the red-eyed razor-toothed fish.
Local City Hall officials have issued a warning telling people to avoid bathing in the river.
But they blamed the attacks on humans, not on the fish.
Piranhas Strip Amazon Boatman To The Bone
City Environment Secretary Ezequias Florencio said: “Unfortunately, people are not aware, they continue not paying the necessary attention that the environment requires.
“People go there, drink, picnic, take leftover food and throw it in the water. What is happening is possibly an ecological imbalance.
“People get animals used to leftover food. There comes a time when there isn’t any, so they attack.”
He said victims of the piranha attacks are doing well after receiving medical treatment.
Last year, at least 18 cases of piranha attacks were recorded in the two bathing areas in the area.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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