In recent years, Iran’s picturesque coastal areas have become a popular tourist destination, offering a blend of rich culture and stunning natural beauty. But with the increasing human presence by the sea, there’s a growing concern that many are unaware of shark attacks. This page is dedicated to providing the most recent updates on shark attacks in Iran, refreshed weekly, to keep both residents and tourists informed and safe. Understanding these events can not only help ensure safety but also maintain the integrity of Iran’s budding tourism sector.
Recent Shark Attacks in Iran
| Date / Time | Country / Area | Activity | Name | Sex / Age | Injury | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-01-1985 | IRAN | Fishing | male | M | FATAL | Bull shark |
| 01-01-1971 | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Mr. Nagib | M | Survived | ||
| 01-01-1957 | IRAN ,Karun River | Mr. Falah | M | Survived | Bull shark | |
| 01-01-1954 | IRAN ,Karun River | Mr. Kasem Jasem | M | FATAL | Bull shark suspected due to freshwater habitat | |
| 04-01-1953 | IRAN ,Karun River | Mr. Kaaby | M | Arm severed | 1.5 m [5'] shark, probable bull shark | |
| 04-01-1953 | IRAN ,Karun River | Swimming in midriver near sewage outlet & 400 m from a slaughterhouse | Mr. Nasser Seemrookh | M | Right forearm severed at the elbow | 1.5 m [5'] shark, probable bull shark |
| 07-28-1949 | IRAN ,Shatt-al-Arab River | Swimming | Ali | M /18 | FATAL, thigh lacerated, femur exposed | |
| 07-07-1949 | IRAN ,Shatt-el-Arab River | Swimming | R. Palmer, ship’s apprentice | M /18 | Right leg lacerated | |
| 12-14-1948 | IRAN ,Shat-Al-Arab River | Abdul Imam (male) | M /19 | Left thumb severed | ||
| 09-02-1948 | IRAN ,Bandar Ma’shur sea inlet | Bathing or washing | Roghai | F /60 | FATAL, left arm & left buttock severed | |
| 08-19-1948 | IRAN ,Shatt-al-Arab River | Abdul Hussain | M /13 | FATAL, right arm severely bitten & surgically amputated, died 12 to 14 hours later | ||
| 08-03-1948 | IRAN ,Shatt-al-Arab River | Swimming | Ismail | M /15 | Quadriceps lacerated, femur exposed | |
| 05-10-1948 | IRAN ,Shatt-al-Arab River | Fishing, shark caught in his net | Ali | M /38 | 8 x 4 left antecubital fossa of muscle & skin removed PROVOKED INCIDENT | |
| 07-18-1946 | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Fishing, probably with a net | Khodadad, (male) | M /12 | Radius & ulna bared | |
| 07-18-1946 | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Swimming | Mehdi | M /12 | Left Achilles tendon severed, calf muscles severely lacerated | Possibly C. leucas |
| 09-06-1945 | IRAN ,Shatt-al-Arab River | Swimming | Hamid | M /13 | Right forearm injured, mid-humeral amputation | |
| 01-01-1941 | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | a local dignitary | M | FATAL | ||
| 01-01-1941 | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Standing | I.S.A.C. Ambulance driver | M | FATAL | |
| 01-01-1941 Early morning | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Standing | a old fisherman | M | FATAL | |
| 01-01-1941 | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | a Gurkha soldier | M | Survived, but suffered a “forequarter amputation” | ||
| 01-01-1941 | IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Slipped off rocks and fell into the water | boy | M /6 | FATAL, both arms bitten | |
| IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | a local dignitary | M | FATAL, femoral artery severed, died 12 days later | |||
| IRAN ,Karun River | Mr. Abbas Jasem (Mr. Kasem Jasem's son) | M | Survived | Bull shark suspected due to freshwater habitat | ||
| IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Fishing in ankle-deep water | an old fisherman | M | FATAL, foot lacerated & crushed | ||
| IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Standing, washing rear wheels of his ambulance in ankle-deep water | I.A.S. C. driver | M | FATAL, fell into water when shark seized his right ankle, right leg bitten, left forearm & hand lacerated, all tissue stripped from right arm | ||
| IRAN ,Karun River | girl | F | FATAL | Bull shark suspected due to freshwater habitat | ||
| IRAN ,Khuzestan Province | Mr. Jabar-Kaaby | M | Foot severed | Bull shark |
What should I do if I witness a shark attack in Iran?
In Iran, if you witness a shark attack, the first course of action should be to alert the local authorities immediately. The country has protocols in place to handle such incidents, with a focus on providing rapid medical attention to the victim and ensuring the safety of others in the vicinity.
Are shark attacks in Iran usually provoked or unprovoked?
In Iran, the nature of shark attacks, whether provoked or unprovoked, is not explicitly documented due to their uncommon occurrence. However, as in most parts of the world, incidents can range from accidental provocations by humans to unprovoked encounters. Any interaction with sharks in Iranian waters should be treated with caution.
What kind of medical facilities are available in Iran for shark attack victims?
In Iran, a comprehensive array of medical facilities is available to cater to shark attack victims, ensuring prompt and efficient treatment. The country’s healthcare infrastructure includes hospitals equipped with emergency rooms and skilled medical professionals who are trained to manage such incidents. Iran prioritizes the health and safety of both its citizens and visitors by maintaining readiness to handle emergency situations including potential shark encounters.
