Swimmer dies after shark attack at popular Perth beach

A swimmer has died after being attacked by a shark off Sorrento Beach in Perth's northern suburbs on Friday morning.

Emergency services were called to the popular beach at around 10:30 am following reports of a shark-related incident. Western Australia police later confirmed that a man had been bitten while swimming along the coast and had died from his injuries.

Witnesses describe a horrific scene

People walking along the shore described the immediate aftermath of the attack. Jacqui Rapaic said she was alerted by a friend. "My friend said, 'Jac, I think there’s been a shark attack,' and I looked out to the ocean and I could see a pool of blood," she said.

Another local, Ryan Rowe, reached the beach shortly after the emergency services arrived. "I couldn’t believe there was that much blood come out of a human body," he said.

A police boat, a helicopter, and state wildlife officers were deployed to search the area immediately after the incident.

Beach closures and community reaction

Sorrento Beach will remain closed until noon on Saturday, according to the Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club.

The City of Wanneroo has also closed all other beaches along its coastline until Saturday lunchtime, with locals warned to stay out of the water until authorities declare it safe.

Local MP Liam Staltari extended his condolences to the victim's family. "Like all locals and people from across WA, I’m deeply saddened by the tragic death of a man following today’s shark attack at Sorrento Beach," he said. "Our entire community is thinking of you at this incredibly difficult time."

A rise in encounters

The fatality is the second serious shark attack in Western Australia in less than a week. On Monday, a surfer sustained severe leg wounds during an attack at Glenfield Beach, near Geraldton, about 400 kilometres north of Perth. He is currently in a stable condition at Geraldton Health Campus.

Before Friday's incident, Australia had recorded four confirmed fatal shark attacks this year. In January, a 12-year-old boy died in hospital after being mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbour. Over a four-week period across May and June, three spearfishing divers were killed in separate incidents.

Despite the recent spike, long-term data suggests such incidents remain rare. According to the Australian Shark Incident Database, Australia has averaged between two and three fatal shark attacks a year since 2000.