TPS: 10-Year-Old Girl Bitten by Predatory Eel in Eilat
A 10-year-old girl's foot was severely injured by a moray eel bite at Eilat's Coral Beach, prompting warnings for swimmers to wear protective footwear.
Jerusalem, 16 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A 10-year-old girl vacationing with her family in Eilat was bitten while wading barefoot into the water at Coral Beach, according to Israeli media.
The fish responsible was identified as a moray eel, which sank its teeth into her foot, tearing her toe’s extensor tendon and causing deep lacerations to the surrounding soft tissue.
The girl was evacuated to Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat for treatment; medical staff described the condition of her foot as severe.
The incident has prompted warnings to swimmers at Eilat’s beaches to wear water shoes, particularly around coral reef areas where moray eels are known to hide among rocks and crevices.