Australia Massively Closes Beaches Due to Shark Attacks. Four Victims Already Reported
Over two days, four shark attacks on people occurred in the Australian state of New South Wales. Following this, authorities closed about 40 beaches and urged residents and tourists not to enter the water. All incidents, according to CNN , are linked to bull sharks, or bluntnose sharks.
Bull shark. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The first victim was a 12-year-old boy: on Sunday, a shark attacked him in Sydney Harbour when he was jumping into the water with friends. The children managed to pull their friend ashore, and rescuers applied tourniquets to both legs. The boy is in critical condition in hospital.
On Monday, a shark attacked a 25-year-old surfer at the popular tourist beach North Steyne in the Manly area. The man was also hospitalized in serious condition, helped out of the water by people who were on the beach.
On the same day near Dee Why Point, a shark bit off a piece about 15 centimetres long from an 11-year-old's surfboard. Another incident occurred the next day near Point Plomer: a shark grabbed a surfer's board, the man sustained minor injuries and was discharged home after a doctor's examination.
Experts explain the increased risk of attacks by the fact that bull sharks often stay in murky water near river mouths, especially after heavy rains. Over the last weekend, Sydney experienced its most intense rainfall in ten years, creating dangerous conditions.
According to Steve Pierce, head of the rescue service, cases where all victims were subjects of real attacks are very rare. Despite warnings, some people still enter the water. Rescuers fear that many holidaymakers will come to the coast due to the heat and public holidays.
The situation is currently being monitored by rescue and municipal services using drones, helicopters, and jet skis. Experts note that it may take up to a week for the water to become clear, and only then will the risk of encountering sharks decrease.
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