A MAN HAS been killed in a shark attack at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa today while snorkelling just 100 metres offshore.
The national Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said a rescue crew responded to reports of the shark attack at 11.30am today local time.
On arrival, remains of a body, believed to be that of a man were recovered from the water and handed over to the police and forensic pathology services.
Irishman John O’Connor, who is on holidays in South Africa with his wife and witnessed the incident, told TheJournal.ie that locals told them they believe it was a great white shark, possibly too old to successfully feed out at sea.
“The surf rescue people had to come to shore to get refuse sacks to get parts of the body, only half of it is thought to have been found,” he said. “It’s the first time there’s been a shark attack in the area. It was a bit unnerving, it was eerie, looking at someone being recovered.”
O’Connor said the community is “shocked” as the man is believed to be a well known open water swimmer.
“People are just standing on the beaches looking out to sea and there’s a helicopter going up and down the beach looking to see if the shark is still there,” he said
All of the beaches in the area have been closed until further notice and the man has yet to be formally identified by police.
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