On Saturday morning, a suspected large shark fatally mauled an experienced surfer approximately 100 meters from the shore at Long Reef Beach, according to New South Wales police.
The victim, who has not been identified, was surfing with friends when the incident occurred just after 10 a.m.
Despite being pulled from the water by fellow surfers, the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene, having suffered catastrophic wounds, including the loss of both legs.
His surfboard was severed in half, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
In response to the attack, authorities closed beaches from Manly to Narrabeen for at least 24 hours to ensure public safety.
Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed the victim was surfing in an unpatrolled area of the beach.
Lifeguards on jetskis and drones are actively monitoring the area for shark activity, while nearby surf life-saving clubs have canceled all water-based activities and training for the weekend.
Police, led by Superintendent John Duncan of Sydney’s Northern Beaches unit, recovered two sections of the victim’s surfboard for examination.
The species of shark responsible remains unidentified.
This marks the second fatal shark attack in Sydney since 1963, following the death of a British diving instructor in February 2022.
Australia has recorded three other fatal shark attacks in 2025, including incidents in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland, according to data from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.
Since 1791, Australia has documented over 1,280 shark incidents, with more than 250 resulting in fatalities.
The loss of the surfer, who leaves behind a wife and young daughter, has deeply affected the local surfing community.