Moray Eel Bites Girl, 10, on Eilat Beach

A 10-year-old girl named Shir was bitten on the foot by a moray eel while vacationing with her family at Coral Beach in Eilat, the Ministry of Health announced Wednesday. The bite caused deep cuts and a complete tear in the tendon that straightens her big toe. She was evacuated to Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat, where she received wound cleaning, antibiotic treatment for marine infections, and surgery to repair the tendon.

Shir's mother stated, "This incident taught us an important lesson. We won't enter the water in reef areas without water shoes, not even for a second." Dr. Sergei Boykov, head of orthopedics at Yoseftal Medical Center, reported, "Upon examination, we saw the child was unable to move her toe. During surgery, we located a complete tear in the extensor tendon and sutured it to prevent future functional impairment. Children recover well from such injuries, and we expect a full recovery."

Dr. Nasif Assala, director of pediatrics at Yoseftal, added that moray eels do not typically attack but that the risk increases near rocks and in the evening. He advised swimmers to avoid approaching marine animals and to always wear water shoes when entering the sea. The report also noted other recent marine incidents in Eilat, including the sighting of a rare box jellyfish and the suspected burning of a dog by hotel workers.