skynews– A man is missing after he was attacked by a shark in North Fremantle, Western Australia.
The man was swimming at Port Beach on Saturday morning when witnesses say he was circled by a shark 30 metres offshore.
Emergency services have launched an air and sea search for the man after being called to the beach about 10:10am local time but he is yet to found.
Authorities have closed nearby beaches, including Leighton and Cottesloe.
“We’re coordinating a marine search in conjunction with Fisheries for a report of a male adult attacked by a shark,” Western Australia Police acting inspector Emma Barnes said.
“The search is ongoing. All beaches in the area have been closed.
“The actions of the witnesses were heroic and very brave… for getting everyone else in the water out of the water and notifying everyone of what was happening.”
One witness, Simone Larazoo, told WA Today: “When I ran up initially to see if they needed a doctor, the man who dialled triple-0 pointed out to the water and it was definitely a shark’s fin… 20 to 30 metres offshore”.
Another witness, Kaiden Boult, told The West Australian: “We scurried out onto the rocks as soon as we got out to get a look from a high vantage point and as soon as we did we saw a massive shark out in the water”.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is investigating.
“DPIRD received reports of a serious shark bite incident at approximately 10:06am on the 6 November 2021,” the department said in a statement.
“DPIRD is working with local authorities and further information will be provided as it becomes available.”
