Piranha Attack at Popular Resort Leaves 7 Swimmers Injured, Including Baby

A family vacation turned terrifying when a group of swimmers was attacked by piranhas at a popular beach resort in the Amazon, leaving several people injured — including a seven-month-old baby who lost part of his toe.

The shocking incident happened Sunday, October 26, at Miriti Beach in Manacapuru, a tourist hotspot in Brazil’s Amazonas state.

Videos posted to social media show chaos as beachgoers screamed for help, with crowds rushing into the water to rescue the injured. In one clip, a firefighter is seen treating a woman whose hand was bleeding heavily after the attack.

According to the Amazonas Fire Department, the attacks happened throughout the day as swimmers enjoyed the river. Most victims were bitten in deeper parts of the water, away from the shoreline.

Officials said the baby was attacked early in the morning. Firefighters gave first aid at the scene before the child’s parents rushed him to the hospital. Later that day, responders treated several more victims and warned swimmers to stay out of the deeper sections of the river.

Local experts say the fish may have turned aggressive because of breeding season — a time when piranhas move closer to shore to protect their nests. Some also blame tourists and nearby businesses for dumping food scraps into the water, which could attract large schools of the hungry fish.

The Manacapuru city council has since urged people to stay away from Miriti Beach until the area is safe again.

Biologist Edinbergh Caldas Oliveira said the behavior isn’t unusual during nesting season and that most bites are defensive. “They don’t usually attack to kill — it’s a warning to get out of their territory,” he explained.

Still, this isn’t the first time piranhas have attacked swimmers in Brazil. In 2023, at least eight people were injured in another incident at a beach near Manaus. Victims described feeling sudden, sharp pains in their legs before realizing they were surrounded by piranhas.

While Hollywood has exaggerated their ferocity for decades — from the 1978 cult horror Piranha to Netflix’s Wednesday — these fish are still capable of inflicting serious injuries. Known for their razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws, black piranhas have one of the strongest bites of any freshwater fish.

Authorities are continuing to monitor Miriti Beach and have warned swimmers not to return until the fish have dispersed.