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 as they assess safety conditions.
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 that is popular 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 identified, although bull sharks and tiger sharks are known to inhabit the Great Barrier Reef region. Queensland Police have stated that a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the "sudden and non-suspicious" death, and the victim's identity has not been released.
This attack follows the death of Steven Mattaboni, 38, who was killed while spearfishing near Perth in Western Australia a week earlier. On 16 May, Mattaboni was bitten on his legs by a 4-metre white shark while on the water 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 attacks in Australian waters are more frequent than in many other parts of the world, though fatalities remain rare. According to conservationists, an average of around 20 attacks are reported in Australia each year, with fewer than three proving fatal. The Taronga Conservation Society reports that over 1,300 incidents have been recorded in the country since 1791, of which more than 350 were fatal, and 24 have occurred since 2020. In January, dozens of beaches along Australia's east coast, including those in Sydney, were closed after four attacks occurred within two days, with heavy rain creating murky water that reduced visibility for both swimmers and sharks.
