Sydney on Edge After Third Shark Attack in 26 Hours, Manly Beach Closed

A man in his twenties is in critical condition after being attacked by a shark at North Steyne, Manly Beach, in Sydney’s north, on Monday evening. This incident marks the third shark attack in the Sydney area within a mere 26-hour span, prompting immediate beach closures across the northern beaches and raising significant safety concerns among residents and authorities.

The rapid succession of attacks has put Sydney on high alert, with emergency services responding to multiple incidents involving both swimmers and surfers. The latest victim was pulled unconscious from the water with severe bite wounds to his leg, requiring immediate CPR on the beach before being rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital. This alarming cluster of events follows two earlier attacks over the weekend and on Monday morning, leading to urgent calls for caution and heightened vigilance in coastal waters.

Manly Beach Attack Leaves Surfer Critically Injured

The most recent and severe incident occurred on Monday evening at Manly Beach, a popular surfing spot. According to reports from The Guardian and SBS News, the male surfer, believed to be in his twenties, was reportedly dragged from the water by members of the public who initiated first aid. Paramedics from NSW Ambulance continued treatment on the beach before transporting him to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition. The Northern Beaches Council lifeguards swiftly responded by sounding alarms, erecting shark warning signs, and deploying a jet ski to patrol the area. All Northside beaches were subsequently closed, with officials stating that Manly Beach would remain closed for at least 24 hours.

Witnesses described harrowing scenes, with one source on BeachGrit referring to the atmosphere as having a “Jaws-like panic.” The rapid response by bystanders and emergency services underscored the severity of the attack and the immediate community concern. Surf Life Saving NSW also launched a drone to assist with the investigation, though no further shark sightings were reported following the attack.

A Weekend of Unprecedented Shark Encounters

The Manly incident was preceded by two other shark encounters that have shaken Sydney. The first occurred on Sunday afternoon in Vaucluse, eastern Sydney, where a 13-year-old boy was attacked while swimming at a harbour beach rock outcrop. The boy sustained injuries to both legs and was in critical condition, undergoing surgery overnight at Randwick Children’s Hospital. His friends were hailed as heroes for bravely leaping into action to pull him from the water, demonstrating remarkable courage in a terrifying situation. Police confirmed that one boy “definitely entered the water to pull his mate out and the other boys assisted them up from the water onto the rock platform,” praising their “brave” actions.

Just hours before the Manly attack, on Monday morning, an 11-year-old surfer had a close call at Dee Why Point, a few kilometers from Manly. A shark lunged at his board, taking a clean 15cm bite out of it and leaving several smaller marks. While the boy was unharmed, he was understandably rattled by the experience. His father, who was paddling nearby, met him in the water after he screamed for help, and an older surfer also provided assistance. Shark biologists from the primary industries department suggested that the bite marks on the board indicated the likely presence of a bull shark, a species known to frequent Sydney’s harbor and coastal areas.

Contributing Factors and Official Warnings

Authorities have pointed to recent environmental conditions as potential contributing factors to the surge in shark activity. Sydney experienced heavy rainfall over the weekend, leading to murky, low-visibility waters, particularly in harbor areas. Police on Monday urged the public to avoid swimming in such conditions, as they can make it harder for sharks to detect prey and for swimmers to spot sharks. Furthermore, heavy swell prevented the operation of smart drumlines, which are designed to notify authorities of shark activity along the NSW coast, since Sunday. This absence of critical monitoring equipment may have left beaches more vulnerable.

Initial reports from the primary industries department suggest that bull sharks are likely involved in at least two of the three recent incidents. Bull sharks are known for their aggressive nature and ability to thrive in both saltwater and freshwater, often venturing into estuaries and harbors. Their presence in Sydney Harbour has been noted in recent years, including an incident in early 2024 where a young woman was bitten on the leg at Elizabeth Bay.

Broader Context of Shark Activity in NSW

The recent cluster of attacks comes against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about shark activity in New South Wales. In September, avid surfer Mercury Psillakis, 57, died after a shark attack at Long Reef Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches. This tragic event led the state government to halt a trial aimed at removing shark meshing nets from popular beaches, highlighting the delicate balance between environmental concerns and public safety. Just two months prior to the current incidents, Swiss tourist Olivia Mulheim, 25, was also killed by a shark while swimming at a remote beach on the NSW mid-north coast.

These incidents underscore the inherent risks associated with ocean activities and the unpredictable nature of marine life. While authorities continue to monitor the situation and implement safety measures, the public is advised to exercise extreme caution, adhere to beach closures, and remain aware of their surroundings when entering coastal waters.

The confluence of adverse weather conditions, potentially increased bull shark presence, and the temporary inability to deploy smart drumlines appears to have created a heightened risk environment in Sydney’s waters, leading to an unusual and concerning series of shark encounters that have profoundly impacted the local community.