A 9-year-old girl is recovering after being bitten by a shark during a family visit to a Florida beach, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred Saturday afternoon at New Smyrna Beach, located in Volusia County, a region known for frequent shark encounters. Authorities say the child was standing in shallow water near the shoreline when the shark struck. Witnesses described the water as murky at the time, which may have contributed to the encounter.
The girl suffered a bite to her leg, but her injuries were non-life-threatening. She was treated at the scene before being transported to a local hospital for further care. Her current condition is stable, and she is expected to make a full recovery.
This marks the fourth reported shark bite in Volusia County this year, a number consistent with the area’s reputation as a global hotspot for unprovoked shark attacks. Beach safety experts continue to advise swimmers to avoid murky water, stay in groups, and refrain from wearing shiny jewelry, which can attract sharks.
Despite the scare, officials emphasize that shark attacks remain rare and that most encounters result in only minor injuries.
