Tragic Shark Attack Claims Life in Sydney

Tue Sep 30 2025 07:57:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A fatal shark incident at Long Reef Beach in Sydney leads to emergency closures as authorities investigate the attack.

A man died after a suspected shark bite at Long Reef Beach, prompting closures across the Northern Beaches area. Emergency services could not revive the victim, and an investigation is underway to identify the shark involved. This tragic event marks a rare occurrence in the region, where such fatal attacks are infrequent.

A man has died on a Sydney beach after being bitten by a suspected 'large shark', as reported by Australia's New South Wales police.

Emergency services retrieved the man from the surf at Long Reef Beach but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The police mentioned that two sections of a surfboard had been found and are being examined by experts.

The incident occurred shortly after 10:00 AM local time, leading to multiple closures in the popular Northern Beaches region as authorities responded to reports of critical injuries. The identity of the victim has not yet been confirmed.

Local police are collaborating with experts to identify the species of shark involved in this attack. This incident is reminiscent of a fatal attack in 2022, where Simon Nellist, a British diving instructor, was killed by a great white shark. Prior to that, there had been no fatal shark attacks in the Sydney area since 1963.

Australia sees about 20 shark attacks annually, with New South Wales and Western Australia being the most affected areas. Despite the frequency of attacks, fatalities from shark bites remain unusual, with an average mortality rate of less than one person per year over the last century.