Shark attack kills surfer off Sydney beach in Australia

A rare fatal attack off Sydney Beach, Australia, was carried out by a suspected “large shark,” according to police and rescuers, which resulted in the closure of several beaches.

The incident on Saturday, which was the second deadly shark attack to occur in Australia’s most populous city since a 35-year-old British diving instructor was killed off a beach in February 2022, making it Sydney’s first fatal shark attack since 1963.

New South Wales police said in a statement that the victim, who is still unidentified, was thrown from the Pacific surf onto Long Reef Beach in northern Sydney and died at the scene.

The man had experience as a surfer and was in his 50s, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. When the attack occurred just 100 meters (330 feet) from the shore, he reportedly was surfing with friends.

The Herald reported that the man lost both of his legs after having his surfboard sliced in half. What shark species was responsible for the attack, at this time?

Police gathered on the shore and ambulances parked nearby, according to images from the scene released by local media. According to Australian public broadcaster ABC, drones were observing shark activity on the beach.

Surf Life Saving NSW claims the victim was bitten by the ocean predator while surfing in a beach patrolled area in the morning.

According to the report, the beaches between Manly and Narrabeen’s northern suburbs have been closed for at least 24 hours. All weekend water activities and training have been canceled by nearby surf life-saving clubs.

The victim was reportedly surfing off the nearby Long Reef and Dee Why beaches, according to an unnamed surfer.

According to Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, “four or five surfers pulled him out of the water and it appeared like a significant portion of his lower half had been attacked.”

According to data from the state-run Taronga Zoo’s owner, there have been three fatal shark attacks in other parts of Australia in 2025.

A surfer was killed by a shark in shallow water on a remote beach in Western Australia in March.

A 17-year-old girl was fatally bitten by a shark while she was swimming off an eastern Australian island in February, and a 28-year-old surfer was fatally bitten in South Australia a month earlier.

A 40-year-old man spearfishing off Queensland was fatally struck in the neck by a shark on December 28.