Back-to-back shark attacks injure child, adult near Florida beach; one victim lost hand

Two people were injured in shark attacks in waters off Florida’s Gulf Coast on Friday, officials said.

Both victims – an adult woman and a juvenile girl – were airlifted to hospitals for treatment of their injuries, according to Walton County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Corey Dobridnia.

One of the victims lost a hand in the attack, Dobrindia said.

“We’re 100% confident that this was done by a shark,” Dobridnia told USA TODAY. “It’s within, a very short distance it’s most likely going to be the same shark.”

The adult woman was attacked shortly before 1:15 pm at the beach in Watersound, Florida, about 15 miles up the Gulf Coast from Panama City Beach.

The second incident occurred between Inlet Beach between south Walton and Bay Counties, the sheriff’s office said.

Dobridnia said neither victim is from the area.

Officials on the lookout for bull shark

Police have asked the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to lookout for a bull shark, which are common in the area, Dobridnia said.

Officials have closed public access to the ocean in Walton, counties.

“We are encouraging beachgoers to be cognizant that lifeguards and beach deputies may be trying keep people out of the water in the immediate area,” the sheriff’s office wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The South Walton Fire District will likely hold a press conference on Friday, Dobridnia said.