Sydney Man Dies After Possible Shark Encounter

A man has died following a suspected shark attack in Sydney, authorities confirmed. Emergency services were called after reports of a swimmer being bitten, but despite efforts, the victim could not be saved. The incident has prompted warnings for beachgoers, with patrols and investigations underway to confirm the species involved. Local officials are urging caution as the community reels from the rare but tragic event along Sydney’s coastline.

SYDNEY — An experienced surfer was killed Saturday morning in a suspected shark attack off Long Reef Beach, police in New South Wales confirmed.

Authorities said the man was pulled from the water with critical injuries around 10 a.m. local time and died at the scene. Two broken pieces of his surfboard were recovered for expert examination.

Police said the victim, who has not been identified, had been surfing with friends about 100 yards offshore when he was bitten by what they believe was a large shark, losing several limbs in the attack. Fellow surfers brought him back to shore.

Beaches across Sydney’s Northern Beaches have been closed for up to 72 hours as officials investigate. Experts are working to identify the species of shark involved.

The fatal attack is Sydney’s first since 2022, when British diving instructor Simon Nellist was killed by a great white shark. Before that, the city had not recorded a deadly incident since 1963.

Australia averages around 20 shark attacks annually, most occurring in New South Wales and Western Australia. Fatal encounters remain rare, with fewer than one death per year recorded over the past century.

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Source: BBC

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