A 65-year-old swimmer died following a shark attack on Tuesday morning at Orient Beach in KuGompo City, South Africa. Officials closed the popular beach and issued warnings for nearby areas following the incident, which occurred while the woman was swimming with a group.
The event took place in the Eastern Cape province after 8:00 a.m. local time. According to witnesses, the swimmer indicated she was in distress before being brought back to the shore. A witness told local media that the victim sustained severe bites to her thigh and her upper arm. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene, and her body was later transported to the State Forensic Pathology Services.
In response, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality announced the immediate closure of both Orient Beach and Eastern Beach. The municipality released a statement on social media urging the public to refrain from entering the water at those locations and to exercise caution at other area beaches. The woman’s name has not been released pending notification of her family.
The scale of shark activity in the region has been a subject of previous concern for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). In September 2022, a similar incident occurred near Plettenberg Bay involving a 39-year-old swimmer. At that time, the NSRI noted that shark activity appeared higher than in previous years, though the source does not provide specific data on the total number of sightings or incidents for the current year.
What happens next depends on the findings of local authorities currently onsite. The beaches remain closed "until further notice," and no specific date has been set for their reopening. Local officials are expected to release the victim's identity once next of kin are notified. The municipality has instructed the public to comply with all orders from relevant authorities as they continue to handle the situation.