On the Fourth of July, a shark bit three people off the coast of South Padre Island, Texas, in what was described as an unprecedented incident by the city’s fire chief. The victims were taken to the hospital with severe injuries. The shark responsible for the attacks was later located and pushed out to deeper water. The type of shark involved is still under investigation. In a separate incident in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, a 21-year-old man was bitten by a shark while playing football in knee-deep water. Luckily, his injuries were not life-threatening. These incidents are rare, with only 36 unprovoked shark attacks reported in the U.S. last year, leading to two fatalities. The risk of being attacked by a shark is considered very small, but swimmers can further minimize the risk by staying in groups and closer to shore. Authorities in South Padre Island have advised beachgoers to stay out of the water or only go knee-deep as a precaution. Mayor Patrick McNulty expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and hopes for a speedy recovery. The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File keeps track of shark attacks worldwide and emphasizes the importance of staying alert and safe while in the water.
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Four people injured in shark attacks on Independence Day in Texas and Florida
