Beaches on Australia's west coast to remain shut after fatal shark attack

September 18, 2026 9:26 PM EDT

SYDNEY, Sept 19 (Reuters) - ‌Several beaches ​along ​the coast of Western Australia, including in the state capital Perth, will remain ‌closed until at least Sunday, authorities said, after ⁠a fatal shark attack at a popular beach in ‌the city on Friday.

The ‌victim, a male swimmer, died after being mauled at Sorrento Beach, around 20 km (12 miles) from ​Perth's central business district, prompting the closure of beaches along 17 km (11 miles) of ⁠coastline.

Beaches in Perth's Joondalup area would remain closed until at least noon (0400 ​GMT) on Sunday, the state government said on Saturday. "Officers from Department of Primary ​Industries and Regional Development will ‌continue to conduct land-based patrols," it said in an alert.

Friday's incident is the ⁠latest in a series of shark attacks in Australia and comes after a surfer in the state ⁠was bitten in an attack on Monday.

In that attack in ​the town of Geraldton around 400 km (250 miles) north of Perth, the surfer lost his foot and suffered serious ‌leg injuries, local media said.

In June a 35-year-old man was killed while spearfishing ‌off the state's south coast, while a 38-year-old ⁠man was mauled ‌to death off ​an island near Perth in May.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by William ‌Mallard)



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