An unidentified marine animal has bitten the foot of a girl of 11 years of age, who was swimming in the beach of Sant Salvador, El Vendrell (Tarragona), as reported by the local council.

The child immediately treated by a rescuer from the Red Cross and taken to hospital Vendrell, where the wound was stitched before she was discharged.

The mayor of the city, Benet Jané, visited the scene. As a precaution it was decided to hoist the red flag, which prohibits the bathing in the sea on this and two other beaches, the Coma-ruga and El Francàs.

Officers from the Protection Civil, Guardia Civil, Red Cross and the Foundation for the Preservation and Recovery of Marine Animals (CRAM) have patrolled the area to try to locate the animal, identify and study its behavior.

Earlier in the day, a 2,4 meters shark was spotted at the beach of Pineda, Vila-seca (Tarragona), and had to be killed because of swimmers in the area. Ironically, the Foundation for the Preservation and Recovery of Marine Animals (CRAM) took charge of that animal.

The wound, which was about six centimetres, suggests that it was as a result of a bite by a “lirio” fish which are common on beaches and jetties, and move in groups and can be known to be aggressive.