A popular beach along Argentina’s Paraná River was closed after dozens of swimmers were bitten by piranhas over a single weekend, leaving more than 40 people injured. Victims, including both adults and children, suffered serious bites to their hands and feet, with some requiring hospital treatment and one reportedly losing part of a finger. Lifeguards quickly cleared the water and raised red warning flags after injuries kept mounting, while medical teams treated those who had entered sections of the river where swimming is officially prohibited. Authorities stressed that warning signs were already in place, but many people ignored them, unknowingly putting themselves at risk in dangerous conditions.

Experts explained that extreme summer heat and low water levels often increase piranha activity, making encounters with swimmers more likely. Similar incidents have occurred in the same river in past years, with dozens injured in previous attacks during particularly hot seasons. Officials are now urging visitors to swim only in designated safe areas, supervise children closely, and seek immediate medical attention after any bite. While the Paraná River remains a popular destination, this incident serves as a reminder that natural environments can become hazardous when safety guidelines are ignored. For many locals and tourists alike, the frightening weekend turned what should have been a relaxing day at the beach into a painful lesson about respecting warning signs and understanding the risks that come with changing environmental conditions.