Australia orders shark killed after swimmer's death

Authorities in Western Australia have issued a rare order to catch and kill a great white shark after it fatally attacked 63-year-old swimmer Greg O'Neill at Sorrento Beach on Friday. His remains have not yet been found.

Beaches along the Western Australian coast, including in the state capital Perth, will remain closed to the public at least until Sunday while the search for the shark continues.

Witness accounts

Witness Jackie Rapaic told Australia's ABC broadcaster that two men had been swimming in the water but only one returned to shore, and that a pool of blood was visible in the sea. Another witness told WAtoday she saw the shark attack the man and throw him around "like a fish." Around the same time, several people reported spotting a shark roughly 2.5 metres long.

Greg O'Neill's family said in a statement they were deeply shocked and devastated by the tragedy, describing him as a passionate swimmer and sports enthusiast, a dedicated worker, and a generous, witty person.

Second attack this week

Orders to kill sharks are rare in Australia and remain controversial, since great white sharks are a protected species there. This marked the second shark attack in Western Australia this week — on Monday, a 56-year-old surfer was attacked near Geraldton and survived, though he lost part of a leg.

This is the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year and the fifth across Australia overall in 2026. In January, a 12-year-old boy died in a shark attack, and between May and June three divers were killed in separate incidents. The latest death has reignited debate in Australia over how to better protect beachgoers from shark attacks.