Australian law enforcement has officially confirmed that a 39-year-old man has become the second person killed by a shark attack in Australian waters within a 14-day window, following an incident off the Cassowary Coast in Queensland’s northeastern region.
Local emergency dispatch received a distress call shortly before noon on Sunday, responding to reports of a shark bite at a boat ramp located between the major northern cities of Cairns and Townsville. Witnesses reported the attack occurred while the man was swimming at a shoal located a short distance from shore. First responders pulled the victim from the water, but he could not be saved, succumbing to the injuries he sustained in the encounter.
This latest fatality comes just one week after another deadly shark attack off the coast of Western Australia, near the city of Perth. That incident claimed the life of a 38-year-old man who was spearfishing in the area when he was bitten on his lower legs; emergency medics were unable to resuscitate him after pulling him from the water.
Queensland Police have not released any further details about the most recent victim, including the specific nature of his injuries or his personal identity, per standard protocol for cases under coronial review. Law enforcement confirmed it will prepare a full report on the “sudden and non-suspicious” death for the coroner, noting that no additional comments will be made while the matter is officially open.
While Australia records more shark-human interactions than most other coastal regions globally, fatal outcomes remain relatively rare. Data from the Australian Shark-Incident Database shows that in January of this year alone, four confirmed shark encounters were documented across the country, with only one resulting in a fatality. Most high-traffic coastal areas popular with swimmers and surfers maintain dedicated protective measures to reduce the risk of unprovoked attacks.