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Tragic Shark Attack Claims Life Near Rottnest Island

A 38-year-old man was killed by a great white shark while swimming near Rottnest Island in Western Australia, prompting officials to urge increased caution in the area.

Source: bbc.co.uk1 min read
Tragic Shark Attack Claims Life Near Rottnest Island
Image via bbc.co.uk

In brief

On Saturday, May 16, a tragic incident unfolded at Horseshoe Reef, just off Rottnest Island, when a 38-year-old man was fatally attacked by a 13-foot great white shark. Despite immediate medical assistance, he could not be revived. This marks the first fatal shark attack in Western Australia since a surfer was killed in March of the previous year, raising concerns about safety in coastal waters and sparking calls for greater vigilance among beachgoers. Officials have recorded nearly 1,300 shark attacks in Australia since 1791, with over 260 resulting in death.

A 38-year-old man has been killed by a 13ft (4m) great white shark in Western Australia. On Saturday, the man was bitten just before 10:00 (03:00 BST) at Horseshoe Reef - north-west of the popular Rottnest Island near the city of Perth, local police said.Aerial footage showed the man being rushed to shore by boat where paramedics and police performed CPR at the Geordie Bay jetty, local media ABC reported. Sadly the man was unable to be revived, a police spokesperson said.The state's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development told AFP news agency it received a report the man was bitten by the great white. The department urged the public to take additional caution in waters around the area.The attack is the first fatal incident in Western Australia since March last year, when a surfer was mauled off a remote beach. Since records began in 1791, there have been almost 1,300 recorded shark attacks in Australia, with more than 260 of them resulting in death. Earlier this year in January, four shark attacks were reported along the New South Wales coast over two days. One of the victims included 12-year-old Nico Antic who jumped from a rock into the Sydney Harbour and was attacked by a suspected bull shark. He died a week later, with his parents saying in a joint statement they were heartbroken.\

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