Two victims of shark attacks remain hospitalized in serious condition at Hospital da Restauração in Recife By Beatriz
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Duas people attacked by sharks in Grande Recife remain hospitalized in Unidade of Terapia Intensiva. The cases occurred less than 24 hours apart. The victims each lost a leg.
João Lucas Castor Nemezio Sales, 11 years old, was bitten on Sunday (31) in Praia by Piedade, in Jaboatão by Guararapes. Marcela Vitória of Lima Santos, 19 years old, suffered the attack on Monday (1st) at Praia of Boa Viagem, at Recife. Ambos were transferred to Hospital from Restauração, in Derby. The unit reported that they are clinically stable, with no new bleeding.
11-year-old Menino underwent amputation after attack on Piedade
João Lucas’s rescue took place on the beach. Parentes and lifeguards pulled him from the sea. Ele reached Hospital from Aeronáutica, in Piedade, where it was stabilized. Depois, transferred the boy to Hospital from Restauração.
Surgery removed his left leg. The boy also had injuries to his left hand and thigh. Fraturas in hand have been repaired. The hospital director, Petrus of Andrade Lima, said the patient lost a large volume of blood. Apesar of gravity, João Lucas has overcome the most critical moment. Ele remains in the ICU Pediátrica.
- The shark involved was a flathead shark.
- The animal usually approaches shallow areas.
- João Lucas was with uncles, cousins and friends.
- The attack occurred while he was bathing in the sea.
Jovem, 19 years old, was rescued by a doctor who was passing by the beach
Marcela Vitória was with cousins and friends when she was bitten. A cousin pulled her from the sea. Ela had already lost his right leg at the time of the attack. A doctor from Minas Gerais who was walking along the beach applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
The young woman was first taken to Hospital Alfa, in Boa Viagem. Depois, transferred it to Hospital from Restauração. During surgery, doctors stopped injured vessels. The objective was to prepare the region for healing. Marcela was in profound hemorrhagic shock and received a blood transfusion. Ela remains in the ICU Geral.
The tiger shark was responsible for the incident, according to Comitê Estadual of Monitoramento of Incidentes with Tubarões (Cemit).
Pernambuco accumulates four shark attacks in 2026 alone
The state has already recorded four incidents this year. In January, a 13-year-old teenager died after an attack on Praia Del Chifre, in Olinda. The two most recent cases involve amputations.
Desde 1992, Cemit counts 84 shark incidents in Pernambuco. Recife and Jaboatão of Guararapes concentrate the largest number. Boa Viagem leads with 25 records. Piedade appears close behind, with 24 cases.
- Boa Viagem (Recife): 25 cases
- Piedade (Jaboatão): 24 cases
- Del Chifre (Olinda): 6 cases
- Anpesca (Fernando from Noronha): 4 cases
- Paiva (Cabo from Santo Agostinho): 4 cases
Outros points with records include Cacimba, Pina, Conceição, Candeias, Barra from Jangada, Enseada from Corais, Baía from Sueste, Ponta from Pedras, Bode, Pau Amarelo and Leão.
Espécies involved usually approach the shore
The bull shark attacks in shallow waters to investigate prey. Já the tiger shark is known for exploring areas close to shore. Ambas species appear frequently on the coast of Pernambuco.
Especialistas monitor the behavior of these animals. Fatores as nearby rivers, waste disposal and presence of schools influence the approach. Grande Recife’s beaches had not recorded recent incidents until these two attacks.
Hospital reinforces multidisciplinary assistance to victims
The Hospital team at Restauração maintains constant monitoring. Médicos, nurses and rehabilitation professionals work together. This Tuesday’s bulletin (2) confirms the absence of new bleeding.
The victims’ families received psychological support. The hospital highlighted the importance of first aid provided on the beach. In Marcela Vitória’s case, a tourniquet applied by a doctor helped stabilize her. João Lucas was quickly rescued by relatives and lifeguards.
The two victims must remain hospitalized for an indefinite period of time. Recovery involves intensive care and preparation for prosthetics in the future.
Recent Histórico shows attacks concentrated on Grande Recife
In 2023, three incidents drew attention. A surfer suffered serious injuries to his left leg at Praia Del Chifre. Dois teenagers were bitten by Piedade on consecutive days. One lost a leg. The other lost her left arm.
The current attacks have reignited alerts among bathers. Autoridades recommend caution, especially at times of high tide and in areas with greater depth close to the sand. Cemit continues daily monitoring of the coastline.
