Boy, 7, Loses Part of His Leg and Suffers ‘Long and Deep Wounds’ in Shark Attack

A 7-year-old boy was seriously injured in a shark attack while playing in the ocean with a group of children, resulting in the loss of part of his leg and multiple severe injuries.

The attack took place on Friday, July 25, in Taiohae Bay on Nuku Hiva, the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, according to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP), via Macau Business and 24 News.

The child was swimming with about 10 other kids when the shark struck, biting him on his right forearm, left hand, and calf. According to The Sun, the injuries to his leg were so severe that part of it was torn off.

He was initially treated at a local hospital before being airlifted to the French Polynesia Hospital Center (CHPF) — roughly 930 miles away — for further care. PEOPLE reached out to CHPF for an update but did not receive an immediate response.

A firefighter who responded to the scene described the boy’s injuries as the most serious he had ever witnessed.

“I’m 35 years old, and this is the first time I’ve seen something like this,” he told AFP. “These were long and deep wounds.”

He also suggested that discarded fish remains from local fishermen might have drawn sharks to the area. “There are many sharks here — blacktips, hammerheads, lemon sharks,” he noted.

French Polynesia is home to more than 30 shark species. According to Forbes, a recent study spanning over six decades of shark bite data from the region found that many incidents stem from human activity, such as spearfishing, and are often defensive in nature.

Taiohae Bay, where the attack occurred, is a picturesque inlet popular among local fishermen, tourists, cruise ships, and sailing vessels. Known for its lush scenery, waterfalls, and cultural heritage, it’s a favored destination for visitors to the Marquesas.

As of now, the young victim remains hospitalized, and his condition has not been publicly updated.