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A suspected large shark attacked and killed a surfer in a rare fatal incident off a Sydney beach on Saturday, prompting authorities to close several beaches. The man was rescued from the Pacific surf at Long Reef Beach in northern Sydney but succumbed at the scene, according to New South Wales police.
Police stated, “A man has died on the Northern Beaches after being bitten by what is believed to be a large shark.” Two sections of the surfer’s board were recovered for investigation, and experts are working to determine the shark species involved. Images from local media showed police on the shoreline with ambulances nearby.
The attack occurred while the surfer was in the water in the morning, outside the designated patrol zone of the beach, as reported by Surf Life Saving NSW. As a result, beaches between Manly and Narrabeen have been closed for at least 24 hours.
Surf life savers have instructed people to stay clear of the water and follow lifeguard guidance. “Our deepest condolences go to the family of the man involved in this tragic event,” said Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW. All water activities and training at nearby surf clubs have been canceled for the weekend.
This marks the first fatal shark attack in Sydney since 2022, when British diving instructor Simon Nellist was killed near Little Bay. The last fatal attack in the city before that was in 1963. Drones are now monitoring the beaches for shark activity, according to Australia’s ABC.
Emergency services responded swiftly after reports that the man was critically injured. An anonymous surfer reported that the victim was surfing near Long Reef and Dee Why beaches. “Several surfers pulled him out of the water, and it looked like a significant part of his lower body had been attacked,” the surfer told the Sydney Daily Telegraph. Authorities ordered everyone out of the water immediately.
Australia’s most recent deadly shark attack occurred in March at remote Wharton Beach in Western Australia. Since 1791, there have been over 1,280 shark incidents around Australia, with more than 250 resulting in fatalities.
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