Key Largo,FL – An 8-year-old boy was bitten by a shark while snorkeling off a Florida beach monday afternoon,according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred in the waters off Key largo, prompting a response from deputies and the Key largo Fire Department.
The boy’s current condition is unknown. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the species of shark involved or the extent of the injuries. The Monroe county Sheriff’s Office and Key Largo Fire Department have been contacted for further information. It remains unclear if the child was snorkeling with a group or alone.
Florida consistently ranks high for shark bites, with a recent study showing the state’s beaches accounting for nine of the top ten spots in the U.S. for shark attacks.However, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) emphasize that while shark bites occur, thay are rare and seldom life-threatening.
The FWC recommends several safety measures to minimize the risk of shark encounters, including: swimming in groups and at beaches were lifeguards are present; avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk, when sharks are most active; staying out of murky water or areas near fishing activity; and refraining from wearing shiny jewelry that could attract sharks.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Source: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
