Man in critical condition after shark attack

A man in his thirties is in critical condition following a shark attack off Rottnest Island, near Perth in Western Australia, rescue officials have confirmed.

The incident occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday (0200 GMT). St John Ambulance Western Australia said a rescue helicopter, police, and island emergency teams were immediately deployed to the scene.

Shark attacks are rare but not unheard of in Australia. Records indicate nearly 1,300 incidents since 1791, with over 260 resulting in fatalities. The most recent death was a 12-year-old boy in Sydney Harbour in January, one of four attacks within two days that forced the temporary closure of multiple beaches.

Experts say crowded waters and rising ocean temperatures are affecting sharks’ migratory patterns, potentially contributing to an increase in encounters with humans.

Authorities have urged swimmers, surfers, and beachgoers to exercise extreme caution while monitoring updates from emergency services.