A 38-year-old man has died after a suspected shark attack near Rottnest Island, a popular tourist destination off the coast of Western Australia. According to The Guardian, citing a St John WA ambulance service spokesperson, the incident occurred around 10am on Saturday, May 16 on the popular island off the coast of the city of Perth that can be reached by ferry.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched to the island, located about 19 kilometers off the coast of Fremantle, with plans to evacuate the victim to a mainland hospital. The man was reportedly transported by boat to shore at Geordie Bay on the island’s northern side. Police said the man was treated at the scene but could not be revived.
“A 38-year-old man was in the water at Horseshoe Reef when he was believed to have been bitten by a shark. The man was conveyed by vessel to shore, where he was met by SJA WA paramedics,” police said in a statement as cited by the outlet. “Sadly, the man was unable to be revived,” they added.
The ABC also reported that a public sighting of a roughly five-meter white shark had been made at a nearby beach around 10am Saturday.
Australia recorded the highest number of fatal shark attacks in the world last year, according to research released earlier this year, as growing numbers of great white sharks were spotted in waters frequented by surfers and swimmers.
Data released by the International Shark Attack File in February showed there were 12 shark attack fatalities globally in 2025, including nine classified as unprovoked. Australia alone accounted for five of those deaths, noted 9news.
Other countries that recorded fatal shark attacks included the United States, Mozambique, South Africa, and Vanuatu.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched to the island, located about 19 kilometers off the coast of Fremantle, with plans to evacuate the victim to a mainland hospital. The man was reportedly transported by boat to shore at Geordie Bay on the island’s northern side. Police said the man was treated at the scene but could not be revived.
“A 38-year-old man was in the water at Horseshoe Reef when he was believed to have been bitten by a shark. The man was conveyed by vessel to shore, where he was met by SJA WA paramedics,” police said in a statement as cited by the outlet. “Sadly, the man was unable to be revived,” they added.
The ABC also reported that a public sighting of a roughly five-meter white shark had been made at a nearby beach around 10am Saturday.
Australia recorded the highest number of fatal shark attacks in the world last year, according to research released earlier this year, as growing numbers of great white sharks were spotted in waters frequented by surfers and swimmers.
Data released by the International Shark Attack File in February showed there were 12 shark attack fatalities globally in 2025, including nine classified as unprovoked. Australia alone accounted for five of those deaths, noted 9news.
Other countries that recorded fatal shark attacks included the United States, Mozambique, South Africa, and Vanuatu.
