A 12-year-old boy, identified as Nico Antic, died from injuries sustained after being attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour, his family announced on Saturday. The tragedy occurred last Sunday in Vaucluse, east of Sydney, when he was swimming with friends and jumped from a rock face, outside the area protected by safety nets, according to several international and local media outlets.
Admitted to Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick in critical condition, Nico had suffered severe injuries to both legs from what is believed to be a bull shark. Despite the efforts of rescuers and medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries after several days of fighting for his life, his parents, Lorena and Juan, said in a statement. "We are devastated to announce that our son, Nico, has passed away. He was always full of life, and that is how we will remember him," they said.
His comrades who were present at the time of the attack tried to pull him out of the water and provided first aid before the arrival of emergency teams.
A series of worrying accidents
This fatal attack adds to a series of shark-related incidents observed off the coast of New South Wales. Within 48 hours, at least three other non-fatal attacks were reported in the area, including bites on a surfboard near Dee Why and attacks on surfers at Manly and Point Plomer, resulting in injuries ranging from minor to serious.
In response to this surge in activity, authorities have ordered the closure of numerous Sydney beaches and urged the public to stay out of the water, citing marine conditions that make shark sightings more likely. Officials from Surf Life Saving New South Wales indicated that water quality, altered by heavy rainfall, could attract more bull sharks to busy coastal areas.
Authorities have also stepped up surveillance, including by drones and other means, while discussions continue on prevention and security measures at sea.
