A woman has been bitten by a piranha while swimming in a lagoon at a private club in Brazil, in what officials have confirmed is the tenth such attack at the location in a matter of weeks.
Details of the Lagoon Attack
The incident occurred on January 11, 2026, at the Lagoa Nova lagoon inside a private club in Linhares, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo. The victim, student Raiane Leite Loiola, said she had been in the water for only about five minutes when she felt the fish bite her.
"My family and I arrived at the lagoon and went into the water," Raiane recounted. "About five minutes later, a fish bit me. My husband picked me up and pulled me out." She was assisted by lifeguards at the scene and received first aid before leaving the water.
Officials Investigate Ecological Imbalance
Following reports of at least ten similar piranha bites in recent weeks, the Linhares Municipal Department of Environment sent teams to inspect the site. Biologists monitoring the area confirmed the presence of piranhas but noted that attacks on humans are typically rare.
Biologist Daniel Motta explained the unusual behaviour: "Piranhas are naturally aggressive, but attacks are very rare. It's a matter of protecting the nest, or during their breeding season, when they become more active and aggressive. There may be an ecological imbalance, a decrease in the number of prey in their environment."
Officials warned that during this time of year, several fish species, including piranhas, enter a reproductive phase where defensive behaviour intensifies.
Safety Measures and a Tragic Precedent
The local authority has advised the public to avoid swimming in unsignposted areas, respect all safety warnings, and report any concerning situations immediately. The club managing the lagoon has stated that sections of it will remain closed on weekdays as a safety precaution.
This spate of attacks comes just weeks after a separate, fatal piranha incident in Brazil. In late December, two-year-old Clara Vitoria died after falling into a river in Coari, Amazonas, and suffering numerous bite injuries. Authorities said the floating structure where she lived lacked adequate fencing.
The recent cluster of non-fatal bites in Linhares has raised significant concerns about local ecological balance and underscores the critical importance of heeding official safety guidance in natural swimming spots.
