60 People Attacked By Piranha In Parana River, Argentina (Photos)

Piranha fish are known for their sharp teeth and large appetite for meat. Hundreds of attacks are reported every year, with experts and biologists often warning swimmers not to go into unknown waters. (Photo MailOnline)

On December 25, 2013, about 60 people were attacked by piranhas in the Parana River, off the coast of Rosario, about 310 kilometers (200 miles) north of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

It was said that there are lots of piranhas in the river.

Lifeguards director Federico Cornier said that the bathers might had been bitten by a type of piranha named palometa. 

Palometa is big, voracious and with sharp teeth that can really bite. 

Health Undersecretary Gabriela Quintanilla told reporters that a girl lost part of a finger in the incident.

A medical official, Gustavo Centurion, said the attack which began at mid-morning was “very aggressive.”

“There were some people that the fish literally had torn bits of flesh from,” he said.

Officials said the unusually warm weather also was apparently responsible for the fish congregating on the river’s surface before the attack.

Dec. 25, 2013: A man is treated after he was bit by a palometa, a type of piranha, while wading in the Parana River in Rosario, Argentina. Lifeguards director Federico Cornier said Thursday that thousands of bathers were cooling off from 100 degree temperatures in the Parana River on Wednesday when bathers suddenly came to them complaining of bite marks on their hands and feet. He blamed the attack on palometas, a type of piranha, big, voracious and with sharp teeth that can really bite. (AP/LA CAPITAL)

A man is treated after he was bit by a palometa, a type of piranha, while wading in the Parana River in Rosario, Argentina. Photo: AP

Photo credit to Projec.com