Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

 

"We didn't know jellyfish could hurt people!"

The father of Xiaoyu (pseudonym) said of the accidental death of his 8-year-old son, who died after being stung by a jellyfish in Nandaihe, Hebei Province, on August 2. Xiaoyu from Miyun county was hurt by the sea animal while he and his family were playing in the Tianma outdoor bathing spot on Nandaihe beach. The stings affected the boy's respiratory system and he died from pulmonary edema the same day. The party secretary of Tianma, surnamed Ma, said they have been trying to hunt and eliminate the jellyfish, but their efforts haven't helped reduce injuries, especially in summer, when jellyfish reproduce in high numbers. Recently, several other travelers have reported jellyfish stings in Nandaihe. (Source: The Beijing News)