An Australian child passed away in a hospital following a shark bite incident in Sydney Harbour, as confirmed by the family on Saturday amidst a recent surge in shark attacks along Australia’s east coast. The victim, 12-year-old Nico Antic, was attacked while he and his friends were leaping off rocks in Vaucluse, approximately nine kilometers away from Sydney’s central business district. His friends rescued him from the water and rushed him to the hospital with severe injuries to both legs.
Expressing their grief, the family released a statement saying, “We are devastated to announce the loss of our son, Nico. He was a cheerful, sociable, and athletic young boy known for his kind and generous nature. His vibrant spirit will always be cherished in our memories.”
Following four shark attacks within two days, numerous beaches, including those in Sydney, were closed this week due to murky waters caused by heavy rainfall, which attract sharks. In a separate incident in September, a surfer lost his life to a large shark at Sydney’s Long Reef beach.
Statistics from conservation groups show that Australia records an average of 20 shark attacks annually, with less than three of them resulting in fatalities. However, these figures are significantly lower compared to drowning incidents on the country’s beaches.