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Shark attacks boy swimming in Sydney Harbor, leaving him in critical condition
A large bull shark attacked the boy near a 20-foot rock in murky water; police credit friends and responders with lifesaving first aid including tourniquets.
- At about 4.20pm, emergency services responded after a shark mauled a boy, believed to be about 12, at Shark Beach in Sydney Harbour on January 18, 2026; he is in critical condition with serious leg injuries at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.
- Authorities said injuries are consistent with a large shark and the NSW Department of Primary Industries is investigating, with reports suggesting a 10-foot bull shark; the boy was jumping off rocks outside the netted swimming area at Shark Beach.
- Within minutes, Marine Area Command officers pulled the boy from the water and took him by boat to Rose Bay wharf while Water Police 41 officers applied two medical tourniquets and NSW Ambulance deployed intensive care paramedics and CareFlight aeromedical teams.
- Police closed Shark Beach, evacuated nearby beaches, and urged swimmers to avoid the water; NSW Police cordoned off the rock ledge and consoled up to five other children who tried to help.
- The attack came amid a recent cluster of incidents this month; Australia has recorded more than 1,280 shark incidents since 1791, with this being the third confirmed attack in less than a month.
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A 20-year-old man who was flying off a beach in Sydney was seriously injured this Monday by a shark. This is the third attack of this type in two days in the city. - Australia: a surfer injured by a shark in Sydney, the third attack in two days (International).
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Total News Sources149
Leaning Left25Leaning Right26Center44Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 26%
C 46%
R 28%
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