The body of a 55-year-old windsurfer, victim of a shark attack, was discovered on Sunday, February 22, in a bay in Nouméa, New Caledonia. Anse-Vata beach was evacuated to allow rescue operations, with authorities calling for caution. The incident follows heavy rains, which increase the risk of sharks near the coasts.
On Sunday, February 22, around 17:30 local time (7:30 in Paris), a pleasure boat spotted the lifeless body of a 55-year-old windsurfer in a bay in Nouméa, New Caledonia. The victim, a local emergency doctor practicing wing foil, succumbed to a fatal shark bite, according to a police source. AFP confirmed this information reported by Nouvelle-Calédonie La 1ère.
Anse-Vata beach, located in southern Nouméa and popular among water sports enthusiasts, was evacuated to aid rescue efforts. Nouméa prosecutor Yves Dupas stated that an autopsy would be conducted with the help of a shark specialist, and a witness would be interviewed. “We don’t know yet how the attack unfolded. We are trying to determine the circumstances,” Dupas said in the early evening.
The incident comes after heavy rains in recent days, a phenomenon known to draw sharks closer to the shores. Anse-Vata had seen three accidents in early 2023, including one fatal case involving an Australian tourist.
