Sydney Harbour Shark Attack Claims Life of 12-Year-Old Nico Antic
Sydney Harbour Shark Attack Claims Life of 12-Year-Old Nico Antic
Tragic shark attack in Sydney Harbour leaves Nico Antic dead as beaches close after a spate of attacks; family mourns and communities rally.
A 12-year-old boy, Nico Antic, died in hospital after a shark mauled him in Sydney Harbour last weekend. He was bitten on both legs at a harbour beach in Vaucluse in Sydney's east and was rushed to hospital in critical condition on 18 January.
His parents, Lorena and Juan, confirmed his death in a joint statement: "We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away. Nico was a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit." They thanked first responders and the teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick for everything they did to care for Nico, and expressed gratitude for the community's support.
Friends rushed to help him, with at least one jumping into the water to pull him to safety. A GoFundMe for Nico’s family had raised nearly $240,000 as of Saturday, with tributes pouring in from across the community.
Shark beach at Nielsen Park, Vaucluse, near where Nico and his friends had been playing, was closed to swimmers in the aftermath of the attack.
Dozens of beaches, including in Sydney, were closed this week after four shark attacks in two days, underscoring a tense period for coastal safety as authorities monitor the situation. Authorities have not released further details about the species involved or the ongoing safety measures, but the community remains in mourning.
