Large shark kills woman in Western Australia
June 5, 2016
Australian authorities were trying to find and trap the shark after the deadly incident on Sunday.
The 60-year old woman was diving with a partner on the outskirts of Perth, when the man felt "something go past him," police inspector Danny Mulligan told reporters.
The man immediately surfaced and saw a "commotion in the water," before a fishing boat crew pulled him aboard. The fishermen then noticed the woman, who suffered severe injuries, according to Mulligan.
They also described the attacking shark as longer than their 5.3 meter (17.4 foot) boat.
Emergency officials said the victim was dead by the time they reached her.
Two deaths in a week
The attack happened only one kilometer (0.62 miles) offshore.
"Given the nature of the injuries and the location of the incident, it is likely that a large white shark […] is responsible," the state's Department of Fisheries said it a statement.
A 29-year old surfer passed away in a hospital two days ago, after losing his leg in a shark attack earlier this week. On Wednesday, authorities caught a 4.2-meter shark in the same area, but could not confirm if it was the one responsible for the mauling.
Although fatal shark attacks are relatively rare, the predators have killed 15 people in Western Australia since 2000.