On the Fourth of July, there were multiple shark bite incidents in Texas and Florida. In South Padre Island, Texas, three people were bitten by a shark, which the city’s fire chief called an unprecedented incident. Two shark bite incidents occurred at different times and locations, resulting in victims being taken to the hospital. One witness described a horrific scene of a woman with a shredded leg being pulled from the water. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department noted that shark encounters of this nature are not common in Texas and are usually cases of mistaken identity by sharks looking for food. The type of shark involved in the attacks has not been determined, and an investigation is ongoing. Lifeguards in South Padre Island were advising people to stay out of the water or stay in shallow areas. In New Smyrna Beach, Florida, a 21-year-old man was bitten by a shark while playing football in knee-deep water. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Despite the rarity of shark attacks, there were 36 unprovoked attacks in the U.S. last year, resulting in two deaths, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File. Swimmers can minimize their risk of shark attacks by staying in groups and closer to shore.Officials in both locations expressed concern for the victims and their families, while also emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant and taking precautions when in the water.
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