Benidorm holiday warning as spate of PIRANHA-style fish attacks leave at least 15 people a day needing treatment
HOLIDAYMAKERS in Benidorm have seen an uptick in horrifying “piranha-style” fish attacks in the warm sea.
More than 15 people a day are said to be seeking first aid treatment on after suffering bites from the sharp-toothed “obladas”.
The fearsome fish are said to be attracted by moles, warts or small wounds on the skin, especially in older people.
They are drawing blood and leaving teeth wounds on arms, legs and backs to unwitting tourists taking dips in the sea.
In recent days, there have been several cases on the famous Poniente beach in Benidorm, according to Informacion.es.
Experts say that due to the very warm weather and higher water temperatures, the metabolism of the fish has increased and they are hunting more.
The Climatology Laboratory of the University of Alicante revealed the sea temperature is between 29 and 30 degrees.
The phenomenon of the obladas attacking humans was first reported in August 2017, but has increased in recent years.
The fearsome fish have moved closer and closer to the shore, putting them in close proximity with tourists.
One swimmer who was bitten previously said: “They must feel that their habitat is being invaded, the lifeguard told us.”
The attacked bathers say the fish have a black spot on their tail. They are about 11inches in length.
A spokesman for the Department of Marine Species said: “This is a fish used to being fed.
“There may be a high population density and they do not run away from people, hence they peck at the wounds (meat smell).”
Swimmers are being warned to avoid wearing jewellery that shines because they can lead to attacks from various fish species while swimming.
Other Spanish resorts have also reported similar attacks in previous years, including those across the Costa Brava and in Catalonia.
In 2021, a woman swimming at a Costa Blanca beach was taken to hospital after being bitten by a 4ft bluefish, which can weigh as much as 30lbs and grow to 4ft long.
Bluefish are fast swimmers that prey on schools of forage fish, favouring the likes of anchovies, shrimp and squid.
The aggressive fish are known to inflict severe bites.
In August 2019 a Spanish woman was left with a partially severed tendon in her foot after being bitten by what was thought to be a bluefish at El Rebollo beach, in the same region.