CNN
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A 16-year-old lady has been attacked and killed by a shark whereas swimming in a river in Perth, Western Australia, native authorities mentioned.
The teenager was pronounced useless after being pulled from Swan River, CNN affiliate Nine News reported.
“This is an extremely traumatic incident for anyone to witness,” Inspector Paul Robinson from Western Australia Police informed a press briefing.
Robinson mentioned the lady had jumped into the water to swim with a pod of dolphins that had been noticed close by.
Police had pulled her from the river and tried to avoid wasting her life however she died on the scene, he added.
Official investigations at the moment are underway.
Robinson mentioned it was not 12 months clear what kind of shark had attacked the lady, however native media studies have speculated that it may have been a bull shark – generally present in most rivers round Australia.
In 2021, a bull shark attacked a neighborhood man in his 50s in Swan River. He was pulled from the water by witnesses who tried to stem the bleeding from his leg.
While bull sharks are typically aggressive, marine specialists have reiterated that assaults are nonetheless “incredibly rare events.”
“The Swan River estuary is good bull shark habitat and this means people can come into close contact with them,” mentioned Andrew Chin, a senior analysis fellow at James Cook University.
“Unfortunately some encounters end badly and in this case with tragic results.”
“Bull sharks can be very bold but it is also important to remember that these incidents are very, very rare events – (though) heartbreaking and traumatizing for everyone involved,” he added.
“Everyone should follow swimmer and shark safety advice from their local authorities (and) also be individually prepared in case the worst happens.”
