Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Western Australia Beaches Remain Closed After Fatal Shark Attack
A swimmer was killed by a shark at Sorrento Beach near Perth.
Because of the attack, nearby beaches were closed.
The closures cover about 17 kilometres of coastline.
Beaches in the Joondalup area will stay closed until at least Sunday afternoon.
Officials will patrol the beaches from land.
Another surfer in Western Australia was badly injured earlier in the week.
Two other people were killed in shark incidents in the state this year.
Authorities are keeping the beaches closed to help protect people while they monitor the area.
A male swimmer died after being mauled by a shark at Sorrento Beach near Perth on Friday.
Beaches across 17 kilometres of Western Australia’s coastline were closed after the attack.
Authorities said beaches in Perth’s Joondalup area would remain shut until at least noon Sunday.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers will conduct land-based patrols.
The incident follows several other shark attacks in Western Australia, including a fatality in June and another in May.
- Who
- A male swimmer was killed; Western Australian authorities and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers are managing the closures and patrols.
- What
- A fatal shark attack led to the closure of several beaches along Western Australia’s coast.
- When
- The attack occurred on Friday, and the closures were announced on Saturday; Joondalup-area beaches will remain closed until at least noon Sunday.
- Where
- The attack occurred at Sorrento Beach in Perth’s Joondalup area, with closures extending along 17 kilometres of coastline.
- Why
- Beaches were closed after the fatal attack while officials conduct patrols and monitor the coastline.
- Victim
- A male swimmer died after being mauled by a shark.
- Location
- Sorrento Beach, about 20 kilometres from Perth’s central business district.
- Closure area
- Beaches along 17 kilometres of coastline, including beaches in the Joondalup area.
- Closure duration
- At least until noon Sunday, according to the state government.
- Monitoring
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers will conduct land-based patrols.
- Recent incidents
- A Geraldton surfer lost his foot and suffered serious leg injuries in an attack on Monday.
- Earlier fatalities
- A 35-year-old man was killed while spearfishing in June, and a 38-year-old man was killed near an island off Perth in May.