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Jurien Bay: Shark attack on the beach

Photo: xWirestockx / Pond5 Images / IMAGO

A tiger shark apparently attacked a woman off Australia's west coast.

The victim was in only waist-high water off the small island of Sandland Island north of the coastal town of Jurien Bay, reported the news site WAToday, among others.

The shark is said to have been around two meters long.

According to media reports, it is still unclear how seriously the woman is injured.

She is said to be around 40 years old.

The rescue workers first brought them back to the mainland in a boat.

From there the woman was flown by helicopter to the city of Perth.

Several beaches in the region have been closed for the time being.

more on the subject

Worldwide statistics: Number of fatal shark attacks doubled in 2023

Sandland Island is only about 300 meters from the shore and is about two hectares in size.

According to WAToday, sea lions live in the sea off the island and many travel agencies offer trips there.

Last year, the number of shark attacks worldwide increased compared to the previous year.

The University of Florida's database of shark attacks worldwide (ISAF) named 69 so-called unprovoked shark attacks in which people were injured or killed last year.

However, shark attacks are still relatively rare.

Humans are not actually animals' prey.

bbr/dpa