A Swiss woman in her 20s has died and a man of the same nationality remains in critical condition following a shark attack at Kylies Beach, near Port Macquarie on Australia’s east coast.
According to Reuters, emergency services were called to Crowdy Bay National Park after reports that two swimmers had been bitten early Thursday morning. Despite bystanders’ efforts to assist, the woman died at the scene. The injured man was treated with a makeshift tourniquet by a witness before being airlifted to hospital, an action described by paramedics as “heroic” and potentially life-saving.
Both victims were Swiss nationals, confirmed by the country’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, which stated that the consulate in Sydney is supporting their families.
Authorities have closed the beach while they work to identify the shark species involved. Drumlines have been deployed as a precautionary measure.
The attack occurred about 350 kilometres north of Sydney, an area popular with both surfers and divers. Incidents of this kind remain rare in Australia, though another fatality occurred two months earlier at Long Reef Beach in Sydney’s north, as reported by the Associated Press.
Officials have expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised the courage of those who stepped in to provide first aid in difficult circumstances.
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