While on vacation in New Caledonia, an Australian man was sadly killed after being attacked by a shark.
The 59-year-old visitor was swimming on Sunday at the Chateau-Royal beach, south of Nouméa, not far from a popular pontoon.
Witnesses were horrified to hear that the shark bit the guy on his arm and leg many times throughout the assault.
The guy was rescued from the ocean by two boaters who were nearby, who then hurried him to land where rescue workers tried to save him.
Yet despite the efforts of multiple paramedics, the victim passed away from his serious wounds.
After the incident, Major of Nouméa Sonia Lagarde ordered the arrest of tiger sharks and bull sharks detected in local seas. She also blocked the majority of the area’s beaches.
Before the operation was suspended at dusk, authorities deployed drones to look for the predator and discovered two sharks.
An inquiry will assist determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, which took place within the area under the watchful eye of lifeguards, according to local prosecutor Yves Dupas.
That follows the month-ago shark attacks on two swimmers at local beaches.
On January 29, a shark attacked a 49-year-old swimmer at the same beach, severely injuring him.
A foil surfer was attacked by a shark five days later, but he managed to escape without being hurt.
Located 1,200 kilometers east of Australia and south of Vanuatu, New Caledonia. The enclave in the French Pacific is renowned for its abundant marine life, stunning reefs, and palm-lined beaches. According to the International Shark Attack File maintained by the Florida Museum, New Caledonia has had 13 shark attacks worldwide since 1958.
»New Caledonia shark attack kills 59-year-old Australian visitor«