A Maldivian national, who suffered critical injuries after being attacked by a dangerous barracuda fish during a fishing expedition, has been successfully treated and saved by Kochi Amrita Hospital.

The incident occurred during a nighttime underwater fishing activity when the 32-year-old Maldivian man was attacked by a barracuda, a species belonging to the tiger fish family. He was collecting sea cucumbers from the ocean floor as part of traditional Maldivian fishing when the fish struck him. The powerful bite caused severe injuries to his spinal cord and vertebrae at the back of his neck.

Initially, he was rushed to a Hospital in Maldives, where doctors assessed the severity of his condition. Realizing the critical nature of the injury, he was immediately airlifted to Amrita Hospital in Kochi for advanced medical treatment.

Upon arrival, medical experts discovered that the barracuda's sharp teeth had deeply penetrated his spinal cord, leading to paralysis of his left arm and leg. Further tests revealed that more than ten fragments of the fish’s teeth were embedded in his spinal cord.

A team of specialists, led by Dr. Sajesh Menon, Dr. Dalwin Thomas and Dr. Manzur. T from the neurosurgery department and Dr. Gokul Das. S from the Anesthesiology department, performed a highly complex surgery to remove the embedded teeth and repair the damage. Following the successful procedure, the patient was moved to the ward for further recovery. Doctors described the spinal surgery as extremely rare and challenging.

Barracuda attacks have been reported in the Maldives before, with several victims succumbing to their injuries due to the lack of specialized medical care. These fish are known for their high speed and sudden attacks, making them extremely dangerous.

Speaking about the ordeal, the patient’s brother stated that the family was deeply worried about his survival due to the severity of the injuries. However, he expressed immense gratitude towards the doctors at Amrita Hospital, whose expert care played a crucial role in saving his brother’s life. Reports suggest that barracuda fish, known for their sharp teeth, have even injured crocodiles in the past.