Man dies after shark bite off Western Australia coast

May 16, 2026 2:10 AM EDT

SYDNEY, May 16 (Reuters) - ‌A man ​attacked ​by a shark off Western Australia's coast on Saturday died of his ‌injuries, police said, in what is the ⁠second fatal shark attack in Australia so far this ‌year.

The 38-year-old victim, yet ‌to be identified, was bitten on Saturday morning at Horseshoe Reef near Rottnest Island, about ​31 km (19.2 miles) west of state capital Perth, police said in a statement.

The man ⁠was taken to shore but could not be revived, police ​said, adding that a report would be prepared for the coroner.

State authorities advised ​people to take extra caution ‌in the water at Rottnest Island, a popular tourist destination.

Aerial footage from ⁠the Australian Broadcasting Corporation showed a police boat, police officers, and a rescue helicopter with a ⁠stretcher at the scene.

The attack follows the death in ​January of a boy bitten by a shark in Sydney Harbour, after a series of shark attacks along ‌the country's east coast.

Most shark attacks occur along the east and southeast ‌seaboard of Australia, which averages around 20 such ⁠incidents a year, ‌according to Australia's ​Institute of Health and Welfare.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Kirsten ‌Donovan)



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