A man has died following a shark attack while diving off the coast of Chatham Island, New Zealand, as confirmed by local police. This marks the first fatal shark attack in the country in nearly four years.
Emergency services were alerted around midday after reports that the man had been bitten by a shark while diving from a boat. He was rushed to Chatham Island Hospital in critical condition but later died due to his injuries.
The man’s identity has not been disclosed by authorities, but police have expressed their condolences. “Police’s thoughts are with his family,” the statement read. The death is now under investigation by the Coroner.
Chatham Island, located approximately 800 kilometers east of New Zealand’s mainland, is known for its diverse marine life and is a popular destination for both divers and fishermen.
This incident marks the first fatal shark attack in New Zealand since 2021 and only the 29th such death since records began in 1860.
Though sharks are often feared, they are responsible for an average of only six human fatalities globally each year, according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF). Last year saw 14 shark attack-related fatalities, a rise from nine in 2022.