A dolphin went on a rampage at a popular beach in Japan, injuring several swimmers and leaving one with broken ribs.
The incident happened on Sunday afternoon at Shirahama Beach in Wakayama Prefecture, where hundreds of people were enjoying the summer weather.
Witnesses said the dolphin suddenly appeared near the shore and started to attack people who were in the water. Some said the dolphin seemed to be angry or stressed, while others speculated that it might have been sick or injured.
One of the victims, a 45-year-old man, was bitten on his chest and back by the dolphin and suffered four broken ribs. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Another victim, a 23-year-old woman, was hit by the dolphin’s tail and suffered bruises on her legs. She said she was terrified by the attack and felt lucky to be alive.
Several other swimmers were also assaulted by the dolphin but managed to escape without serious injuries.
The dolphin eventually left the area after about 20 minutes of terrorizing the beachgoers. It is not clear what caused the dolphin’s unusual behavior or where it came from.
According to experts, dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals that rarely attack humans. However, they can become aggressive or unpredictable when they are stressed, sick, injured, or provoked.
They also warned that people should not approach or touch wild dolphins, as they may perceive it as a threat or an invasion of their territory.
The local authorities have advised people to stay away from the beach until further notice and to report any sightings of the dolphin to the coast guard.