An 8-year-old boy was bitten by a shark while snorkeling off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, on Labor Day, according to officials. The child was airlifted to a Miami hospital for emergency treatment.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported that the attack occurred at approximately 3:24 p.m. on Monday. Following the incident, the victim was transported by Trauma Star air ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Authorities have not yet released details about the boy’s condition.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were notified and are assisting with the investigation.
This incident adds to a series of recent shark encounters in the Florida Keys. In July 2024, a 37-year-old man sustained multiple bites from a bull shark while spearfishing near a reef off Key West. Experts note that the region is a frequent site for shark activity due to its warm waters and abundance of marine life.
Shark-related injuries remain rare compared to other ocean hazards, though Florida consistently reports the highest number of shark bites worldwide. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, the state accounted for nearly 40% of unprovoked shark attacks in the United States in recent years.
Local authorities continue to monitor the area and advise residents and visitors to exercise caution while engaging in water activities.
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