Two shark attacks near Recife leave boy and woman legless

Two shark attacks within 24 hours on beaches near Recife, Brazil, have left a young boy and a woman with severe injuries, each resulting in the loss of a leg. Both victims survived and are receiving treatment at the same hospital.

The first incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at Piedade Beach in Jaboatão dos Guararapes. An 11-year-old boy, identified as João Lucas Castor Nemezio Sales, was swimming with his uncle and two other children when he was attacked. His uncle, Aldemir Jose, recounted hearing a strange noise and seeing blood in the water before rushing to pull his nephew from the sea. The boy was conscious and pleading not to die, Jose said. Lifeguards provided immediate aid before paramedics arrived. The boy was transported to Hospital da Restauração in Recife, where he underwent surgery and is reported to be in stable condition. He suffered injuries to his left hand, hip, and leg, which was amputated.

The following day, on Monday, a 19-year-old woman, Marcela Vitória de Lima Santos, was attacked at Boa Viagem Beach, approximately ten kilometers from Piedade Beach. Her cousin intervened after she began drifting further from shore and losing strength. He pulled her back...