A man has died after a shark attack off the north-east coast of Australia, authorities confirmed on Friday. The incident occurred near the popular tourist destination of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland. Emergency services responded to reports of a man being attacked by a shark at a beach in the area.
The victim, believed to be in his 50s, sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet released his identity, pending notification of next of kin. The species of shark involved has not been confirmed.
Local authorities have temporarily closed the beach and are investigating the circumstances. Shark attacks in Australian waters remain relatively rare, though the country records an average of 20 incidents annually. The last fatal attack in Queensland occurred in 2020.
The Queensland government has deployed shark control equipment, including nets and drumlines, to reduce the risk of further incidents. Experts advise swimmers to heed safety warnings and avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are most active.
