A 39-year-old spearfisher died after a shark attack at the Great Barrier Reef on Sunday, May 24, 2026, marking Australia's second fatal shark incident in just over a week. The man, a Cairns resident, was attacked while diving with three friends near Kennedy Shoal, a shallow reef off Queensland's coast. Police Inspector Elaine Burns confirmed the victim sustained critical head injuries and was pronounced dead after being brought ashore. The attack occurred around noon, with paramedics waiting at Hull Heads, a nearby tourist town. The species of shark involved remains unidentified, though fishers reported bull sharks in the area prior to the incident.
This follows the May 16 fatal attack on 38-year-old Steve Mattabonni near Rottnest Island in Western Australia, where a suspected 16-foot white shark was involved. Australia averages more than three fatal shark attacks annually, with recent incidents raising concerns about water safety. In January, four shark attacks in two days led to beach closures along Australia's east coast, attributed to heavy rains creating murky waters that attract sharks.
Kennedy Shoal is a popular spot for recreational fishers and divers, known for its coral reefs and the Lady Bowen shipwreck. Queensland Police are preparing a report for the coroner, describing the death as sudden and non-suspicious. The incident is Australia's third shark-related fatality in 2026, following a January attack on 12-year-old Nico Antic off a Sydney beach.