Horrific moment shark mauls tourist to death just weeks after similar attack
Horrific footage shows the terrifying moment an Australian tourist was mauled to death while swimming off the coast of a French Pacific island on Sunday.
The unidentified 59-year-old man was dragged under while enjoying a dip off the Chateau Royal Beach in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia - an island around 750miles east of Australia.
The tourist - who is thought to have been travelling alone - was around 500ft from shore when the monster attacked, tearing off his leg and a section of his torso.
Australian news outlets showed a clip of heavy splashing in the open sea.
The unidentified 59-year-old Australian tourist was reportedly travelling alone (9News)In CCTV footage, lifesavers can be seen rushing out on jet skis to the man's aid.
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In the hope of halting the beast's vicious offshore rampage, officials launched three drones to track it down. They stopped Sunday night and the search was expected to continue in the morning.
A 49-year-old woman was left with serious injuries after a similar bull shark mauling on January 29.
Swimmers rushed out of the water when the alarm was raised (France1)Rescuers managed to drag Sunday's victim back to shore, but despite paramedics' working on him for almost 40 minutes, he couldn't be saved.
A panicked mass of swimmers managed to escape the deadly waters after the alarm was raised.
Paramedic Dr Vincent Ouradou told local news the shark chomped down on the tourist three times, on his right leg and both arms.
People on two boats helped to bring the man back to shore, but he couldn't be saved (9News)Local politician Sonia Backès shared her condolences with the man's family and those who witnessed the horrific attack.
“There were young children, who were shocked by what they saw,” she said.
Paramedics at the scene (France1)Three weeks ago Bridgette Do, 49, was mauled in a similar attack while swimming off the same beach during her daily swim.
She lost a hand, four fingers from the other hand and part of her leg.
Do's father Owen Drew was asked whether it was a miracle she was alive and he said yes as she suffered "unbelievable wounds".
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The island is the 13th worst place for shark attacks in the world (Getty Images)"She is very lucky she had those people assist her on the beach," Drew said.
Ms Backès announced plans to cull the local population of tiger and bull sharks.
The Chateau Royal beach has been closed indefinitely, as have other local beaches.
In 2019, local officials removed the two species off the protected species list in the hopes of reducing the number of shark attacks.
The island ranks 13th in the world for shark attacks, the country's official tourism site says.
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