‘Gruesome’: World reacts to deadly Sydney shark attack

Sydney’s first deadly shark attack in more than 60 years has made international headlines, with the world reacting to the horrific situation.

The first deadly shark attack in Sydney in almost 60 years has made international headlines, with the world reacting to the horrific situation.

Emergency services were called to Buchan Point in the city’s east at around 4.30pm on Wednesday following reports a shark had attacked a swimmer in the water.

The person died after suffering “catastrophic injuries”, with human remains being found by rescuers at about 6pm.

Beaches in the area remain closed today as authorities and lifeguards look for any further sightings of sharks.

International media outlets reported on the deadly attack, with a headline from The New York Times reading “Shark kills swimmer in rare death off Sydney coast”.

The horror shark attack made international headlines. Picture: The New York Times

The publication said the shark was estimated to be about 4.5 metres long, “or nearly 15 feet”.

“It was the first fatal shark incident in Randwick City in recent memory, officials said, noting a shark bite injured someone in the area in February 2018,” the article stated.

“Australian news outlets reported that the last fatal shark bite on a Sydney beach was in 1963.”

The BBC also reported on the attack, with the story headlined “Swimmer dies in first fatal shark attack in Sydney since 1963”.

Tabloid media outlet TMZ included footage of the horror attack in its article, with the headline “Beachgoers witness 15-ft shark kill swimmer”.

Emergency services were called to the scene just before 4.30pm on Wednesday. Picture: BBC

TMZ described the attack by a ‘15ft shark’. Picture: TMZ

“A beach in Sydney has been temporarily closed after some folks witnessed a gruesome killing – a 15-ft shark devouring a swimmer,” the article stated.

“A Rep for North South Wales Police Force tells TMZ … cops were called about the terrifying shark attack around 4:35 PM on Wednesday.

“We’re told folks were fishing off the nearby shoreline, and they heard the swimmer scream in terror and saw the entire attack unfold.”

Each outlet also shared the story to their social media pages, prompting horrified response from people around the world.

Many social media users sent out their thoughts to the family and friends of the victim, with one commenter on the BBC post noting the “lifeguards must be absolutely devastated”.

Other people said that the attack cemented their fear of swimming at the beach, particularly in Australia

“Probably one of the worst ways to go, but Australia is known for deadly animals and huge sharks and crocodiles, so swimming in that open water it’s almost inevitable to run into one,” a person commented on the TMZ post.

Police and surf rescue crews search the water following the attack. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I was living in Australia for a year and I felt like there were just too many sharks in Australia so I never go to the deep water except snorkelling to see the corals on the shallow part,” another said.

One person wrote: “So sad. Those waters look treacherous … Do people really swim in water that looks like that?? Too sad. And are sharks known to frequent this place. Sad all around. RIP!”

Other commenters questioned what would happen to the shark after reports stated that authorities were on the look out for any more sharks in the area.

“Lifeguards are ‘looking for sharks’ in the wake of this? Why? It’s awful to imagine this happening to a person, but the ocean is theirs. They’re fish. We left the water millions of yrs ago. Leave them alone,” a person wrote on The New York Times’ Facebook page.

“Sad but hope they don’t kill the shark. Sorry for the victim and family,” another person said.

Viewers point out ‘disturbing’ detail in video

Terrifying footage of the attack began circling online shortly after the incident, but it wasn’t just the horrifying attack that shocked viewers, it was the reaction of the witnesses.

“Someone just got eaten by a shark,” the man recording the video can be heard yelling, adding it was a “big great white”.

Huge splashes can be seen with the water in the area turning red and birds circling above.

“That’s insane,” the man added.

Another man can be seen in the video fishing off the rock and watching on as the attack played out.

A video circulated online following the deadly attack.

“No one sounds remorseful in the video. This guy just continues to record and the other man looks like he’s still fishing,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“Did anyone else notice the guy fishing that didn’t even take his line in or anything? Just kept fishing,” another said.

One person branded the whole situation “disturbing”.

“The video is disturbing, the fact someone was swimming while someone else is fishing on shore? This whole thing is disturbing.”

Another person expressed shock that the witnesses were able to “just sit there and describe the attack” while the situation played out in front of them.

Police will liaise with the Department of Primary Industry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the swimmer.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Randwick Council announced on Wednesday night that Malabar, Maroubra, Coogee, Clovelly and La Perouse beaches would also be closed for 24 hours while council lifeguards looked for any further sightings of sharks.

Surf Life Saving Duty Officers will be on the scene this morning with two Surf Life Saving Sydney jetskis on the water and two drones in the air to assist police.

“This is a terrible tragedy, the first fatal shark incident in Sydney for decades. Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends,” said SLSNSW President George Shales.