A young boy who was bitten by a shark in Sydney Harbour last week has died in hospital.
Twelve-year-old Nico Antic had been jumping off a rock ledge with friends on 18 January when he was attacked by what authorities suspected was a bull shark.
His parents, Lorena and Juan, expressed their heartbreak, stating, We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico has passed away. The incident marks a distressing wave of shark attacks, with Nico being one among four reported along the New South Wales coast over a span of two days.
Nico's family remembered him fondly, highlighting his vibrant personality, saying, Nico was a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit. He was always full of life and that's how we'll remember him. His friends displayed bravery by jumping into the water to help him immediately after the attack.
Initially hospitalized with severe leg injuries, Nico was placed in an induced coma following surgery at Sydney Children's Hospital. An online fundraiser aimed at supporting his family has raised $240,000.
The spike in shark attack incidents in recent weeks has raised concerns. Following heavy rain, conditions have become favorable for bull sharks, prompting beach closures around Sydney to safeguard locals and visitors.
On the Monday following Nico's incident, a surfer fortunately avoided injury from a shark while another man suffered serious wounds at a nearby beach. A third recent attack left a 39-year-old man with chest injuries on the Mid North Coast.
Experts attribute this recent uptick in shark activity to environmental changes that enhance shark-inhabited waters near shore, intensifying the need for community awareness and safety measures.
As the community mourns the loss of young Nico, authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging caution as beaches repeatedly open to the public amidst ongoing investigations into shark behavior.
