Shark attacks prompt swimming ban

MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Shark attack warnings were posted at Russia's Far East Marine Reserve following this week's attacks on swimmers, reserve Director Andrei Malyutin said Friday.

Predatory sharks along the coast of the Sea of Japan attacked two swimmers this week, prompting the Far Eastern Primorye Territory administration Thursday to take the action, RIA Novosti reported.

"Because of the situation with marine predators, the inspectors of our reserve will be watching closely for tourists and take a written note from them that they have been warned about the danger," Malyutin said.

A 16-year-old boy sustained leg injuries when he was attacked Thursday near Zheltukhin Island. On Wednesday, a 25-year-old man lost both arms in a shark attack in Telyakovsky Bay, RIA Novosti said.

Far Eastern Primorye authorities directed an emergency response team Friday to find and kill the shark, an administration spokesman said.