A 38-year-old man has died after being attacked by a 13-foot great white shark off the coast of Western Australia near the popular tourist destination of Rottnest Island.
The fatal attack happened on Saturday just before 10:00 local time at Horseshoe Reef, located north-west of Rottnest Island near the city of Perth, according to local police.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after reports of the shark attack. Aerial footage showed the victim being transported to shore by boat, where paramedics and police officers performed CPR at the Geordie Bay jetty.
Authorities confirmed the man could not be revived.
Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said it received reports confirming the victim had been bitten by a great white shark.
Following the attack, officials urged swimmers, surfers, and boaters to exercise “additional caution” in waters surrounding the area.
Rottnest Island is a major tourist hotspot known for its white sand beaches, surfing locations, and marine life, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The deadly incident marks the first fatal shark attack recorded in Western Australia since March last year, when a surfer was killed at a remote beach along the state’s coastline.
Australia has recorded nearly 1,300 shark attacks since official records began in 1791, with more than 260 of those incidents proving fatal.
Earlier this year, multiple shark attacks were reported along the New South Wales coast within a two-day period. One of the victims was 12-year-old Nico Antic, who was attacked by a suspected bull shark after jumping into Sydney Harbour. He died a week later, leaving his family devastated.
The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns over shark safety across Australia’s coastal waters, especially in areas popular with swimmers and surfers.