Wave of deadly piranha attacks in Paraguay: 4 dead and 20 injured so far this year

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Taking a refreshing dip can be deadly in some areas of Paraguay, where in the first days of 2022, several piranha attacks were recorded on bathers trying to enjoy a dip. To date, 4 dead and 20 injured.

The first death of the year occurred on Sunday, January 2. A 22-year-old man was bathing in the Paraguay river in Asuncion, one of the country’s largest. The alarm was raised when he suddenly disappeared, and when his body was finally found 45 minutes later, piranhas had torn off several pieces of his body and eaten them.

The second incident also occurred in the Paraguay River, when the body of a 49-year-old man was found devoured by the voracious fish. He had severe bites on his face. However, in this case, it is believed that the man died of a heart attack and only then was he attacked by the fish.

In addition, two other people were found dead with piranha bite marks on their bodies in the Tebicuary river, also last Sunday.

Meanwhile, other alleged attacks, not fatal but resulting in serious injuries, were reported in the Paraná river at the Bella Vista Fishing Club, located in the department of Itapúa. In this case, 20 bathers were injured.

Argentine biologist Julio Caply said that the attacks are usually limited to two species: the serrasalmus marginatus and the serrasalmus maculatus.

According to the expert, this type of animal can become aggressive when temperatures are high or when there is a low water level in the river, as they attack to defend the territory where they have nested. The attacks are usually on the legs, since they can only reach the part of the body in contact with the water.