Overview
- An 85-year-old Italian tourist suffered a deep calf gash at Playa de Palma on July 22, triggering a red-flag alert and an hour-long evacuation before lifeguards reopened the beach.
- Patrols in Majorca found no evidence of a shark, bluefish or triggerfish and specialists remain divided over whether a bluefish or triggerfish inflicted the injury.
- On the same day at Hollywood Beach, Florida, a man in his 40s sustained upper torso wounds from a confirmed shark bite, received on-scene tourniquet treatment and was hospitalized in stable condition.
- Data from the International Shark Attack File show 70–100 unprovoked shark attacks globally each year, with Florida’s summer surge accounting for a notable rise in regional beach incidents.
- Authorities cite rising sea temperatures and peak summer tourism as drivers for enhanced monitoring and safety protocols across both coastlines.