Shark Attack ‘Mutilates’ Wing Foiler in New Caledonia, He Dies From Horrific Injuries

Local news reported:

“According to firefighters, he was spotted by an individual driving by boat and saw the mutilated body of the victim, who apparently had already passed away. It was the rescuers who brought the deceased's body back to the beach.

“More than a dozen police officers have been deployed to protect the area and support the family. Relatives of the victim were also at the scene. They have been taken care of.”

As of now, the species of shark involved has yet to be determined.

Regarding his injuries, another news site reported he had “significant injuries to his right leg as well as wounds to his left shin and right forearm,” as well as “bite marks” to his board. However, "the circumstances of this attack remain undetermined, in the absence of any direct witnesses.”

According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been 24 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks on New Caledonia since the year 1580. That’s not much, considering the top countries include the United States and Australia, with 1,698 and 744 respectively. Also, to put New Caledonia’s number into perspective, Iran has 23 – so, there’s that.

This does come, however, following a spate of shark attacks on the east coast of Australia. New Caledonia is about 1,200 miles away from Sydney, Australia – where four bull sharks happened in the span of 48 hours recently – as the crow flies.

Shark attacks remain rare, no matter where you are in the world.