*Update*: Two shark attacks in 24 hours — 11-year-old and 19-year-old lose limbs

Two beaches in Recife, ten minutes apart, two attacks within roughly 24 hours: First an 11-year-old boy lost his leg, then a 19-year-old was struck. Clarín reports that both victims were pulled from the water by family members and have since been treated in the same hospital.

Doctor Mike Albuquerque, who provided first aid to the teenager, describes the findings with shocking clarity: the girl left the sea already without her leg – the limb was completely severed. Folhape.br reports this statement from the physician, who underscores the severity of the injury in a dramatic way.

The state monitoring committee for shark incidents in Pernambuco has identified the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) as the responsible species. oglobo.globo.com explains that this species is responsible for the vast majority of accidents on Pernambuco's coast – aggressive, adaptable, and active even in shallow, murky water.

Full moon and scientific debate

The clustering of incidents has reignited an old debate: does a full moon make sharks more dangerous? g1.globo.com summarizes the state of research – conclusive evidence is lacking so far. Some studies suggest that tides and changing light conditions could influence animal behavior, but scientists warn against premature conclusions. The full moon alone does not explain the attacks.

Recife has been considered one of the world's most dangerous coastal stretches for shark encounters for decades. Environmental changes in the Atlantic, shifting fishing grounds, and the construction of the Suape port in the 1980s are regarded as structural factors that drive sharks closer to busy bathing beaches. Authorities have renewed warnings against swimming in the affected areas following the recent incidents.