Piranha Attack: More Than 40 Injured and One Loses Finger at Paraná River in Buenos Aires

Chaos erupted at the Paraná River in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when a shoal of piranhas attacked a group of swimmers leaving more than 40 people injured, including an individual who tragically lost a finger in the harrowing frenzy.

A shoal of piranhas savaged 46 people, including children, at the Paraná River close to Victoria, a city about 209 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, while people were cooling off in the river.

The Mirror reported that the victims entered the areas where swimming is banned. Health authorities said that the emergency department at Hospital Fermin Salaberry treated several people, including children and adults, who suffered bite wounds.

Unfortunately, one victim lost a finger in the attack, and most of the victims have suffered from serious injuries following the attack.

Beach guard Alejandro Martin said, 'I attended to 46 cases, all serious, and I used up three first-aid kits.'

With dozens of victims, the authorities have urged people not to swim in the piranha-infested river. The hospital official said, 'We remind the community that there are signs on the various beaches where swimming is prohibited, which are intended to protect health and prevent accidents.'

Paraná River visitors have been urged to stay out of the water and supervise children. They were also told to seek medical attention for any bites.

Hot temperatures and low river levels were linked to the increase in piranha activity near the shore during the southern hemisphere's summer.

Not the First Piranha Attack in the Paraná River

Although deaths from piranha attack are rare, these carnivorous fish can still be dangerous, as it is not the first time that they have attacked humans in the Paraná River, as LAD Bible reported.

In 2013, on Christmas Day, over 60 people were injured there because of a mass piranha attack.

Paramedics said that piranhas in the river were 'very aggressive,' and that higher temperatures increased the danger posed to swimmers.

Less than a month after the 2013 Christmas Day attack, 10 people were reportedly attacked by piranhas while swimming in the Paraná River, describing the fish as 'big, voracious and with sharp teeth that can really bite.'

While in 2021, 30 people were injured in the same river, with a 13-year-old girl having her big toe 'torn off.'

Officials continue to warn the public about swimming in the Paraná River, which is the second longest river in South America after the Amazon, to only swim at the designated areas.

2-year-old Child Killed in Piranha Attack in Brazil

Although deaths by piranha attack are rare, there are still occasions that it happens. In December 2024, Express UK reported the death of 2-year-old Clara Vitoria, whose little life was claimed just outside her riverside home.

Clara lived with her parents in a floating structure near the city of Coari, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas.

The little girl reportedly fell into the river through a hole in the floating home, an area that has no fencing or guardrails because it had been set aside for the future construction of a bathroom. The unfortunate fall reportedly occurred during a moment of inattention by her parents.

Clara's parents searched for her in the river. Her remains were found around five minutes later; sadly, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Most of her injuries are in her neck caused by an attack of a shoal of piranhas. Her body was taken to the Legal Medical Institute for forensic procedures, and the case was registered with the police.