A 38-year-old man has been killed in a 13-foot great white shark attack off Western Australia. The incident occurred on Saturday morning near Horseshoe Reef, close to Rottnest Island. The attack has prompted renewed warnings for swimmers in the region.
Police said the man was bitten just before 10:00 local time north-west of Rottnest Island. The area is popular for beaches and surfing near Perth. Moreover, emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
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Aerial footage showed the victim being rushed to shore by boat for emergency treatment. Paramedics and police performed CPR at Geordie Bay jetty. However, he was declared dead after unsuccessful resuscitation efforts.
Authorities confirmed the attack involved a great white shark and urged the public to exercise caution. The Department of Primary Industries warned swimmers to remain alert in surrounding waters. Furthermore, patrols and monitoring efforts are expected to increase in the area.
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The incident marks the first fatal shark attack in Western Australia since March last year. Australia has recorded nearly 1,300 shark attacks since 1791, with more than 260 fatalities. Officials say shark encounters remain rare but continue to pose risks in coastal waters.