Loggerhead turtle attacks three swimmers in Croatia, sending them to emergency room

Three individuals, including a child, required medical attention after a suspected loggerhead sea turtle attack in Kaštel Lukšić on Monday. The incidents occurred in the sea between Šulavi and Poštanski beaches, with swimmers reporting bites from a large sea turtle.

Dalmacija Danas reported multiple accounts from beachgoers describing the attacks. Photos sent to the newsroom showed red marks and bruises on the victims' bodies. While initial reports were unclear about the exact cause, authorities later confirmed the cases. Police received a report around 9:15 a.m. regarding three people seeking medical help below the Dom Miljenko i Dobrila in Kaštel Lukšić.

The injuries varied, with one person bitten on the buttocks, another on the hand, and a third noticing the injury only after leaving the water. One victim suspected a turtle bite, another a fish, and the third was unsure. Police investigated the area but found no further information. All injuries were classified as minor, though one person was sent to the emergency surgical department.

Similar incidents have been reported, including one in Slatine on Čiovo island a few days prior, where a 13-year-old was reportedly bitten on the buttocks by a sea turtle. Dr. Antonija Žanić, head of the Kaštel Stari Emergency Medical Service, emphasized that loggerhead turtle bites are not minor injuries. "This is not an ordinary scratch that can be disinfected at home. A bite can cause more serious tissue damage, and any such wound carries a risk of infection," she stated.

Loggerhead sea turtles lack teeth but possess powerful, horny beaks and strong jaws capable of crushing shellfish and crustaceans. Their bite can result in contusions, bruises, cuts, and more severe injuries requiring medical assessment and treatment.

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A bite can cause more serious tissue damage, and any such wound carries a risk of infection.