First fatal shark attack since 1963 in Sydney; Netizens extend prayers for victim’s family

New Delhi: A fatal shark attack occurred in Sydney in nearly 60 years on Wednesday, leading to the death of a swimmer owing to “catastrophic injuries”, said the police and ambulance services. Following the incident, several beaches in Sydney including the popular Bondi and Bronte were shut down on Thursday.

Witnesses located in the area stated to the local television that the swimmer was wearing a wetsuit. “Some guy was swimming and a shark came and attacked him vertically,” a witness Kris Linto, told Nine.

“We heard a yell and turned around it looked like a car had landed in the water, a big splash then the shark was chomping at the body and there was blood everywhere.”

Drum lines that are used to bait sharks have been installed near the attack site. Drones have also been deployed as officials search if the shark is still there in that area.

A video surfaced on the web showed a white shark attacking a person on Wednesday afternoon in the mid-waters of Little Bay Beach, about 20 km south of Australia’s largest city and near the entrance of Botany Bay. Police have not yet revealed the identity of the swimmer.

Little Bay beach remains closed as police continue to search following a fatal shark attack this afternoon. @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/1cR5yzMHum

— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) February 16, 2022

New South Wales ambulance spokesperson stated that by the time the crew reached the spot for rescue, the swimmer was dead. “Unfortunately this person had suffered catastrophic injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do,” they said.

The news of the first fatal shark attack since 1963 appeared as a shock to the netizens. Many extended their prayers to the victim’s family. Here’s how people are reacting to the Sydney shark attack news:

Also Read: First fatal shark attack in Sydney in nearly 60 years; Swimmer’s remains found on water