A man has died after being attacked by a suspected large shark off Sydney’s northern beaches on Saturday, police said, prompting the closure of several beaches.
The victim, who has not been identified, was pulled from the surf at Long Reef Beach with severe injuries but was pronounced dead at the scene, according to New South Wales police. Two pieces of his surfboard were recovered for forensic analysis.
Authorities said it was Sydney’s first fatal shark attack since 2022, when 35-year-old British diving instructor Simon Nellist was killed off Little Bay. Before that, the last recorded fatality occurred in 1963.
Following the latest incident, beaches along the Pacific Ocean stretch from Manly to Narrabeen were closed until further notice.
An eyewitness told reporters that several surfers helped bring the victim to shore after what appeared to be a massive bite to his lower body. “There was a surf lifesaving guy waving a red flag … I thought I should probably go in,” the witness added.
Emergency services and police are continuing investigations.
