Authorities in South Africa have closed two beaches after a 65-year-old woman died in a shark attack at Orient Beach in KuGompo city, formerly known as East London, on Tuesday, 20 October.
According to the “Associated Press“,Eastern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said officers were called to the beach at about 7 a.m., where they found the woman’s body. Police have opened an inquest into the death.
The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality confirmed the fatal incident in a statement, describing it as the loss of a swimmer. The municipality subsequently closed Orient Beach and nearby Eastern Beach until further notice.
Swimmers Attempted to Rescue the Woman
Mike Loewe, a member of a local open-water swimming community, told the AP that swimmers responded after the woman signalled that she was in distress and brought her back to shore.
A medic who was part of the group attempted to save her, but she was declared dead at the scene, according to Loewe’s account.
The “Eastern Cape radio station East Coast Radio” also reported that police found the woman with serious wounds. Local reports described her as a regular swimmer.
The municipality has not announced when the two closed beaches will reopen.
Authorities Issue Warnings for Other Beaches
In addition to closing the two beaches, municipal authorities warned beachgoers at other local beaches to exercise caution and follow safety instructions.
The closures are a precaution following the fatal incident. Authorities have not publicly established further details about the shark involved or the circumstances that led to the attack.
According to the AP, South Africa recorded 29 unprovoked shark bites between 2012 and 2021, six of which were fatal, based on figures from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File.
Although the country is known for great white sharks and shark tourism, fatal encounters remain uncommon.
Investigation Underway
Police have opened an inquest into the woman’s death. The investigation is expected to help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
For now, authorities have urged the public to comply with beach closures and safety advisories while the affected areas remain closed.
