Kaštel Lukšić, 22 July 2026
In Kaštel Lukšić in the Dalmatia region, several bathers were bitten by a false Caretta turtle (Caretta caretta) at the beginning of the week, with some victims sustaining serious injuries that required hospital treatment.
The attack occurred on the beach stretch between Šulavi and Poštanski near Split. As the Croatian news broadcaster index.hr reports, citing a reader report submitted to the portal Dalmacija Danas, a female tourist was bitten on the thigh by the animal. The reader described: „Meine Mutter wurde von der Meeresschildkröte in den Oberschenkel gebissen." The woman reportedly struck the animal until it released her. „Sie schlug das Tier, bis es von ihr abließ. Sie hatte Prellungen durch den Biss."
The injuries were so severe that the woman had to be taken to the emergency room, where her wounds were medically treated and stitched. „Die Frau musste nach dem Vorfall in die Notaufnahme, wo sie ärztlich versorgt und ihre Wunden genäht wurden." The rescue services were subsequently alerted. „Daraufhin wurde die Rettung alarmiert, berichtet index.hr." Other bathers also sustained deep bite wounds that had to be stitched at the nearest hospital.