Fatal Great White Attack Near Rottnest Island Shocks Perth
Fatal Great White Attack Near Rottnest Island Shocks Perth
A 38-year-old man was killed by a 13-foot great white shark near Rottnest Island, prompting safety warnings for WA waters around Perth.
A 38-year-old man was killed by a 13-foot great white shark at Horseshoe Reef, northwest of Rottnest Island near Perth in Western Australia. The attack occurred just before 10:00 local time, with reports noting the time as 03:00 BST in some coverage. The man was rushed to shore by boat, where paramedics and police attempted CPR at the Geordie Bay jetty, but he did not survive. Authorities confirmed the bite and urged the public to exercise additional caution in WA waters as divers and beachgoers share the area with ocean predators. This incident stands as the first fatal attack in Western Australia since March of the previous year, according to official records. Australia has a long history of shark encounters; since records began in 1791, there have been nearly 1,300 recorded shark attacks, with more than 260 resulting in death. Earlier this year, four shark attacks were reported along the New South Wales coast over two days, underscoring ongoing safety concerns in Australian waters. The tragedy renews debate over how best to balance access to popular beaches with protective measures for swimmers, surfers, and tourists in and around Rottnest and Perth.
