A 13-year-old boy bled to death on a Brazilian beach after being bitten on the thigh in a sickening shark attack. Deivson Rocha Dantas was playing with his friends when a shark appeared and attacked him from behind at a popular beach on the South American country’s east coast.

Thet tragic incident happened off the coast of Chifre beach in Brazil’s tourist hotspot Pernambuco. Witnesses described the harrowing scene as the attack unfolded in shallow waters, a common occurrence in this region known for its vibrant carnival celebrations and unfortunately, a history of such incidents.

Deivson was quickly pulled from the water and rushed to a nearby hospital in Olinda, but he succumbed to massive blood loss shortly after arrival.

Medical officials confirmed the cause of death, highlighting the rapid and lethal nature of the wounds.

Pernambuco has long been a hotspot for shark encounters; since 1992, the state has recorded 82 attacks, with 27 proving fatal. While the type of shark has not been confirmed, tiger and bull sharks are both common in the seas around Pernambuco.

This latest tragedy has prompted renewed calls for enhanced safety measures in an area that attracts thousands of visitors annually.

In response, the State Committee for Monitoring Shark Incidents (CEMIT) has vowed to intensify surveillance efforts and revive a programme to track sharks via microchips.

Authorities hope these steps will mitigate future risks, though experts note that urban development and overfishing may be driving sharks closer to shore.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another heartbreaking child fatality from a shark attack.

Just days earlier, on January 24, 2026, 12-year-old Nico Antic died in hospital after being mauled by a suspected bull shark in Sydney Harbour, Australia.

Nico had been jumping from rocks into the water at Jump Rock near Vaucluse when the attack occurred on January 18, causing critical injuries to his legs.

His friends heroically pulled him to safety, but despite intensive care, he passed away. Nico’s family described him as having the “most kind and generous spirit,” in a statement expressing their profound grief.

The back-to-back losses underscore a worrying uptick in shark-human interactions globally, urging greater awareness and preventive strategies to protect vulnerable swimmers.

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