Authorities in New South Wales Australia have closed dozens of beaches along Sydney’s northern and eastern coasts after a rare series of shark attacks in recent days.
Four separate incidents occurred in just 48 hours including three near Sydney and one further north at Port Macquarie. In the latest attack a young surfer in his twenties was bitten at North Steyne Beach in Manly and rushed to hospital with serious leg injuries. Earlier a ten-year-old boy was knocked off his surfboard but escaped unharmed while another boy suffered critical injuries in a previous attack near Sydney Harbour.
Police and local authorities have urged the public to stay out of the water and warned that the Northern Beaches will remain closed until further notice. Officials say recent heavy rainfall has muddied coastal waters creating conditions that attract bull sharks closer to shore and increase the risk to swimmers and surfers.
Surf Life Saving NSW and emergency teams have deployed extra safety measures including drone surveillance SMART drumlines and beach patrols to monitor shark activity and protect the public. Authorities stress that shark attacks are extremely rare in Australia but they advise caution particularly in murky or storm-affected waters.
Beachgoers are being urged to swim in pools or stay onshore while conditions remain dangerous as the state works to restore safety along the coastline.
