Shark attack on Australian beach probably killed missing surfer

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: Authorities in South Australia believe a missing surfer has died in a shark attack after disappearing January 2 evening at a popular surf beach near Streaky Bay.

The 28-year-old man was last seen in the waters of Granites Beach, a site known for its shark activity and where another surfer was fatally attacked by a white shark in 2023.

A witness who saw the shark attack ventured into the water on a jet ski and retrieved the surfer's board but found no trace of the man. "There was just no sign of this young man," Senior Constable Rebecca Stokes told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. "From witnesses' descriptions, we are pretty confident that sadly he has been killed by this shark."

Stokes said the specific species of shark involved in the attack has not been identified, but the beach has a reputation for frequent shark sightings.

Emergency responders and volunteers continued their search for the local man on January 3, as police prepared a report for the coroner. The beach has been closed to the public until further notice.

Although shark attacks are rare in Australia, with 255 recorded fatalities since 1791, South Australia has experienced a notable rise in incidents in recent years. In 2023, the state recorded five shark attacks, three of them fatal, including one at Granites Beach.

Scientists have yet to determine the cause behind the recent spike in shark activity in the area. In 2024, only one shark bite was reported off South Australia's coast, and it was non-fatal.