Stingrays Injure Over 500 People During Labor Day Weekend In Southern California

Southern California has recently grabbed headlines as more than 500 people got attacked by stingrays over the Labor Day weekend amounting to severe injuries.

The spike in injuries did not happen because of the influx of the stingrays but the influx of humans who ventured deep into the water to enjoy the last moments of summer, officials told ABC News.

Stingrays are commonly found in shallow waters of south-facing beaches and the Southern California beach is no exception. According to Orange County-area superintendent of California State Parks, Kevin Pearsall, Bolsa Chica State Beach, and Huntington State Beach, where the major numbers of attacks were reported, are known to be the chief spots for stingrays' breeding and hideout.

They also informed that stingrays tend to make frequent appearances especially when the beaches are thickly crowded.

Pearsall said, "You get an increase in visitation [and] an increase of people who don’t normally retreat to the beach and probably lack familiarity and knowledge on stingrays." The best way to stay away from the fish, he said, is to let them know you’re there, specifically with one move he called "the stingray shuffle," he further added.

On Saturday, 124 injuries were reported in Bolsa Chica State Beach followed by 64 on Sunday and 42 on Monday. In the Huntington State Beach, around 20 of the similar cases were reported as revealed by the California State Parks. If there is a minor sting, the pain can last for 30-60 minutes but people should seek medical help immediately for serious stings leading to open wounds.

In a similar incident back in June 2019, about 10 to 15 people were stung by stingrays in California beach as ocean temperature soared higher, reported 10news.com. Lifeguards added that the increase in stingray activity is very common during the summer months.