British tourists issued urgent warning over deadly threat swarming Mediterranean hotspots after pensioner hurt in attack

Britons have been issued an urgent warning over a deadly threat swarming Mediterranean hotspots this summer after a pensioner was hurt in a suspected attack.

The silver-cheeked toadfish is a species of toxic pufferfish armed with deadly flesh and brutally sharp teeth.

Tourists travelling to top European holiday hubs have been told to keep an eye out for the creatures amid a growing number of reported attacks.

Although it is normally found in the waters of the Indian Ocean, the pufferfish has began cropping up in the Mediterranean after slipping in via the Suez Canal.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Its flesh embodies a lethal neurotoxin capable to triggering heart and lung failure if eaten.

However, its razor-sharp gnashers can also prove devastating - with a Greek pensioner left hurt after a suspected bite in the coastal town of Varkiza, near Athens.

The elderly woman was attacked after the pufferfish reportedly lunged at her unprovoked - forcing her to hospital for stitches.

But worryingly, the incident is not an isolated one - an alarming rise in attacks has been recorded over the past few months.

Nota Peristeraki, a pufferfish expert, told tourists they "really need to avoid" the silver-cheeked toadfish if they spot it coming towards them.

He told The Telegraph: “Some attacks have happened when people have tried to feed or touch the fish.

“There have been a couple of cases of people losing a finger or a toe. That said, these are rare incidents.

“You are more likely to encounter a shark. If you go snorkelling, you might not even see pufferfish.

ANIMALS - READ THE LATEST:

• Bird species on 'brink of extinction' sees three hatchlings born at Blackpool Zoo
• Swan death investigation in leafy English town points blame at out-of-control dog
• 'Do not touch!' British beachgoers issued warning over 'beautiful' blue sea creatures

“We have found the remains of fishing nets and hooks inside their stomachs.”

The pufferfish has no natural predators in the Mediterranean - meaning the numbers of these deadly creatures have been allowed to explode.

And now, the Greek Red Cross has penned guidelines for those who fall victim to the toothy fish.

The advice tells those bitten to immediately clean the wound with water and soap.

They are also told to apply steady pressure with a clean piece of cloth and seek out medical services immediately.

Bites can often require stitches and a tetanus shot in certain cases.

Greek fisherman have also raised the alarm over the threat the pufferfish pose to their livelihood.

Alexis Charlambakis, an angler from Crete, said: “If one of these bites you, it will take your finger clean off. They are the destruction of the sea.

“They leave nothing behind. If this wasn’t my boat, I’d quit this profession for good. The situation is dire… we cannot survive.”

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter