A 38-year-old man has died after a shark attack at Rottnest Island, a popular holiday destination off Perth in Western Australia.
Authorities say the incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Saturday in the waters at Horseshoe Reef. The victim was carried to shore and treated by paramedics from the St John ambulance service, but could not be revived.
Surf Life Saving WA reported a white shark about 5 metres (16 feet) long was seen roughly 80 metres offshore around the time of the attack.
The fatality comes amid a recent rise in shark encounters in Australian waters. Scientists have suggested changing shark migratory patterns, increasing human use of coastal areas and warming oceans linked to climate variability may be contributing factors.
Earlier this year, a shark attack in Sydney Harbour killed a 12-year-old boy. That incident was one of four attacks within two days that prompted authorities to close many city beaches as a precaution.
According to a long-running database of shark incidents, Australia has recorded nearly 1,300 shark interactions since 1791, of which more than 260 were fatal.