A 39-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in far north Queensland.
The incident reportedly occurred at Kennedy Shoal, a shallow reef area located around 50 kilometres off the Queensland coast between Cairns and Townsville.
Emergency teams rushed to rescue
According to reports, the man had been fishing in the area when emergency services were alerted shortly before midday on Sunday.
He was brought back to the Hull River Heads boat ramp near the town of Tully in critical condition after being retrieved from the water.
Despite emergency efforts, the man later died from his injuries soon after reaching shore.
Queensland Police confirmed that a report would be prepared for the coroner following what authorities described as a “sudden and non-suspicious death”.
Popular reef area known for fishing and diving
Kennedy Shoal is a well-known location for recreational fishing and diving activities along the Great Barrier Reef.
While shark attacks remain relatively rare in Australia, several incidents have occurred in reef regions along the Queensland coastline over recent years.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the species of shark involved in the latest fatal attack.
Experts say bull sharks and tiger sharks are commonly found in waters around the Great Barrier Reef, while great white sharks are less common in warmer tropical waters.
Recent shark incidents raise concerns
The incident comes just days after another fatal shark attack near Rottnest Island off Perth, where a 38-year-old man also died despite emergency treatment at the scene.
Australian authorities continue to advise caution for swimmers, divers and fishers in known shark-populated waters, especially in reef and coastal areas