A man has died following a shark attack off the north-east coast of Australia, marking the second fatal incident in the country within a fortnight. Authorities have closed beaches in the area while they assess safety conditions.
Details of the Incident
Emergency services were summoned to the Hull River Heads boat ramp near Tully on the Cassowary Coast in Queensland shortly before noon on Sunday. Reports indicated that a 39-year-old man had been attacked while swimming at Kennedy Shoal, a shallow reef approximately 45 kilometres offshore, which is frequently used for recreational fishing and diving. The victim was retrieved from the water in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries shortly after being met by an ambulance.
The species of shark involved has not yet been confirmed, although bull sharks and tiger sharks are known to inhabit the waters along the Great Barrier Reef. Queensland Police have stated that a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the sudden and non-suspicious death, and they have not released the identity of the victim.
Previous Fatality in Western Australia
This attack comes just one week after Steven Mattaboni, a 38-year-old man, was killed while spearfishing near Perth in Western Australia. On 16 May, Mattaboni was bitten on his legs by a 4-metre white shark while on the water's surface, approximately 80 metres from shore and 20 metres from his boat near Rottnest Island, a popular holiday destination. He had travelled to the island with three friends from Perth's northern suburbs. Paramedics and police performed CPR after he was brought ashore but were unable to revive him.
Western Australia's Police Minister Reece Whitby paid tribute to Mattaboni and those who attempted to save him. "My heart and thoughts go out to the man's family, friends and loved ones," Mr Whitby told the ABC. "I want to acknowledge the diver's friends who played a critical role in doing the best they could to bring him back to shore."
Shark Attack Statistics in Australia
Shark attacks in Australian waters are more common than in many other parts of the world, though they are rarely fatal. On average, about 20 attacks are reported in Australia each year, of which fewer than three prove deadly, according to conservationists. More than 1,300 incidents have been recorded in the country since 1791, of which more than 350 were fatal, and 24 have occurred since 2020, according to the Taronga Conservation Society. Dozens of beaches along Australia's east coast, including in Sydney, were closed in January after four attacks in two days, with heavy rain creating murky water that reduced visibility for both swimmers and sharks.
