CNN
—
An Australian tourist has died after being attacked by a shark in waters off New Caledonia in the South Pacific, according to public broadcaster New Caledonia 1 TV.
The 59-year-old was swimming near a pontoon at Château-Royal beach in the capital, Noumea, when a shark attacked him around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday, New Caledonia 1 reported.
Two people rescued the man on a jet ski and CPR was performed, but he did not survive his injuries, according to the broadcaster.
In response, authorities closed the beaches of Noumea, a popular destination for international tourists in France’s overseas territory.
“Swimming and nautical activities are closed in a 300-meter coastal strip until further notice,” Nouméa town hall said in a statement. A shark cull has also been activated following the attack, New Caledonia 1 added.
It was the second attack in less than a month at the same location. In late January, a 49-year-old woman suffered multiple injuries after being attacked by a bulldog shark while swimming at Château-Royal beach, according to the Global Shark Attack File.
Nearby beaches were closed after the attack and only reopened last Thursday, according to local media.
The number of international visitors to Noumea, known for its clear blue waters and idyllic beaches, has fallen sharply during the pandemic, according to World Bank data, but the industry is slowly recovering.
The New Caledonia Tourism website warns visitors to beware of sharks and swim only in patrolled areas, where authorities patrol and monitor shark alerts.
The archipelago ranks 13th on the Florida Museum’s list of unprovoked shark attacks, with 19 attacks since 1580, but it is far behind the United States, with more than 1,600 during the same period. The United States is followed by Australia, South Africa and Brazil.
The most recent fatal attack in New Caledonia dates back to February 2021, when a tiger shark allegedly attacked a yachtsman on Maître Islet, according to local news reports.
The French territory is on the east coast of Australia, north of New Zealand, and most tourists go there from September to November.
cnn
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