Latest news Shark attacks surfer in Australia - serious leg injury

A man has been attacked by a shark on a beach near the well-known Australian seaside resort of Port Macquarie on the east coast. According to media reports, the 23-year-old surfer was attacked by the predator off North Shore Beach about 400 kilometers north of Sydney this morning (local time) and apparently suffered serious injuries to his leg. It was the third shark attack Down Under this month.

According to a Facebook post by the local Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS), other surfers in the vicinity rushed to the victim's aid and bandaged the wounds until the rescue services arrived. The lifeguards spoke of a "serious shark attack". Several ambulances and a helicopter were deployed.

Great white shark sighted

The victim is said to be in a critical condition, but not critically injured. "I'm shocked, a lot of people go swimming in this area," the Australian ABC quoted a local resident as saying.

It was not initially known which species of shark may have been involved. However, the SharkSmart monitoring system reported on X early this morning that a great white shark had been spotted near Port Macquarie. The animals are considered to be the most dangerous predatory fish on earth. The beaches in the region are to remain closed for at least 24 hours.

Three attacks within two weeks

Just last week, a surfer was bitten on the leg just a few kilometers from the center of Perth on the west coast. Doctors stitched up the wound and removed a shark tooth from his leg.

Two weeks ago, a man was attacked by a predatory fish while spearfishing near Coral Bay, about 1,100 kilometers north of Perth. The victim was also not critically injured.

According to official statistics, there were around a dozen shark attacks Down Under last year in which the victims were injured. Four other attacks were fatal. So far this year, there have already been more than half a dozen attacks, so far without any fatalities.

SDA