Multiple shark attacks in Florida trigger high alert

Authorities in Florida are on high alert following three shark attacks that injured three individuals in a single day, prompting local officials to close beaches and commence water patrolling. According to the New York Post, the incidents involved a 45-year-old woman and two teenage girls, aged 15 and 17.

The woman, who was swimming at WaterSound Beach in Walton County, sustained severe injuries that necessitated the amputation of part of her left arm. In response to the attacks, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Beach Marine Unit has been actively monitoring the shoreline.

In a Facebook post, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office stated: "The Walton County Sheriff’s Office Beach Marine Unit continues to monitor the shoreline and the beaches Saturday following Friday’s incidents involving sharks in Walton County." The post also noted that deputies spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near South County Highway 395 in Santa Rosa Beach, emphasizing that shark sightings are not uncommon in the Gulf.

Authorities have urged beachgoers to remain vigilant and cautious, reminding them that sharks are always present in the Gulf. Red and purple flags have been posted on the beaches to warn swimmers of high hazards and dangerous marine life, respectively.

The sheriff’s office also advised visitors to be mindful of their surroundings and remember that humans are guests in the Gulf of Mexico. The chief of police reported that the attack on the woman caused "significant trauma" to her body, leading to the removal of part of her left arm, as reported by ABC News.