SOUTH AFRICA: Tourist dies from shark attack in Cape Town

Record ID: 353346

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Tourist dies from shark attack in Cape Town
  • Date: 13th January 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF REPLICA OF GREAT WHITE SHARK AT SAVE OUR SEAS SHARK CENTER IN FISH HOEK
  • Embargoed: 28th January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Environment / Natural World
  • Reuters ID: LVA2LBNM76A4NXEV6KP5946EEVB9
  • Story Text: A Zimbabwean tourist died after a shark attack on Tuesday afternoon (January 12) at Fish Hoek Beach, near Cape Town.
    Lifeguards and beachgoers were on high alert Wednesday (January 13) following the attack.
    It's believed the man was on holiday in South Africa when the attack occurred.
    "According to the witnesses, it was a very big shark, it was a very big one you know. They reckon it came all along the side of the catwalk, it swam all along the side there and they only saw it at the last minute because that black flag was up to show that the water was dirty and murky and, as I said, the last attack we had was two years ago and we've had thousands of people in the water since then," said Johan De Witt, an inspector of marine and coastal management.
    Residents and beachgoers said that they saw a giant shark attack what looked like a man. Local authorities are conducting a search for the body.
    "The chopper was here. The paramedics were here, basically everybody with the rescue was here but it was too late," said Fish Hoek resident Rahfiq Raven.
    Police and members of the National Rescue Institute searched through the afternoon, following various leads from eyewitnesses.
    Great white sharks, which can grow to six metres in length and weigh three metric tonnes, have been responsible for most of the attacks off Cape Town's beaches in the past.
    The City of Cape Town released a statement saying that beaches from Glencairn to Muizenberg would be closed until further notice as a result of the attack, while the search for the victim continues.
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