Australia shark attacks: two injured in less than 24 hours
Officials say two attacks in such a short time span is ‘unprecedented’
Two people are in critical condition after being attacked by sharks at a popular tourist spot at a harbour in the Whitsunday Islands in north Queensland.
The first attack took place on Wednesday, when 46-year-old Justine Barwick, a tourist from Tasmania, was attacked by a large shark while snorkelling near a yacht in Cid Harbour, leaving her with life-threatening injuries to her torso and leg.
A 12-year-old New Zealand girl holidaying with her father was attacked in the same waters less than 24 hours later, causing a “significant leg injury”, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Both victims were stabilised on board nearby boats, before being ferried to land and airlifted to hospital.
Fisheries Queensland shark control program manager Jeff Krause said: “It is very unusual in such a short period of time — it's just unprecedented.”
Krause told the ABC that the department is advising people not to swim in the area, and that three baited drum lines will be set in a bid to catch the shark responsible for the attacks.
“We don't normally go out and search for any sharks that may have been involved in a shark attack,” Krause said, adding: “It is possible that there’s more than one shark involved in these unfortunate events.”
“This is a tropical area,“ Sea World marine services director Trevor Long told reporters. “There’s probably four species that could be involved in it, probably the worst of those species would be a tiger shark,“
“Unprovoked shark attacks have killed one person and injured 14 others in Australia this year,” the BBC reports.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - October 13, 2024
Sunday's cartoons - the swing of things, fear of facts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 timely cartoons about climate change denial
Cartoons Artists take on textbook trouble, bizarre beliefs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Kris Kristofferson: the free-spirited country music star who studied at Oxford
In the Spotlight The songwriter, singer and film-star has died aged 88
By The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published