A mass piranha attack left sixty people injured as they enjoy a Christmas Day swim in an Argentine river.

Dozens of bathers including more than 20 children were bitten by the shoal of meat-eating fish during the surprise attack.

A seven-year-old girl lost part of one of her fingers and a young boy was left with an open fracture in his hand.

Other swimmers suffered deep cuts to their ankles, fingers and hands.

The attack happened on Christmas Day on a popular beach on the Parana River in the city of Rosario, birthplace of Barcelona striker Messi.

Paramedic Gustavo Centurion described them as ‘very aggressive.’

The meat-eating fish are reported to have been attracted to the coast by debris left by local fishermen.

Local government spokesman Ricardo Biasatti described the attack as a rarity.

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