An eight-year-old British girl has been seriously injured in a shark attack while swimming at a Belgian coastal resort. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at the beach of De Panne, a popular tourist destination on the North Sea coast.
The girl, who has not been named, was attacked while in shallow water near the shore. She sustained severe injuries to her leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Local authorities have confirmed that her condition is stable but serious.
Witnesses reported seeing the child being pulled from the water by lifeguards, who quickly administered first aid. The beach was immediately closed following the attack, and warning signs have been erected along the coastline.
Shark attacks are extremely rare in Belgian waters, with the last recorded incident occurring over a decade ago. Marine experts are investigating the circumstances of the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by a small shark species common to the region.
The British Foreign Office has stated that it is providing consular support to the girl's family. Local officials have expressed their shock and offered condolences to the family, while assuring the public that safety measures are being reviewed.
