Died from his wounds … a shark tore off Elio Canestri’s limbs and part of his stomach. Picture: Facebook/Elio Canestri Source: News Corp Australia
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has been attacked and killed by a shark off the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, authorities said, the seventh such deadly attack since 2011.
The shark tore off the boy’s limbs and part of his stomach as he was surfing early on Sunday morning in an off-limits section of sea off the west coast of the island.
Elio Canestri was attacked while surfing with seven others, the Mirror reports. He was around 15 metres offshore.
‘One of our best’ … promising young surfer, Elio Canestri, in action. Picture: Facebook/Elio Canestri Source: Supplied
A spokesman for the rescue services told the Mirror: “A boat was launched very quickly, and the victim was dragged out of the sea, but he died from his wounds.
“Those who witnessed the attack, including other children, are being treated for trauma.”
It was the 16th shark attack on the island since 2011 and the seventh loss of life.
Reunion island authorities are said to be scrambling to find solutions to protect swimmers.
In July 2012, a surfer died after a shark ripped off his leg and, in July 2013, a teenage girl was bitten in half as she swam metres from shore. In February a 20-year-old female swimmer was bitten by a shark before dying in hospital from a cardiac arrest.
source:news.com.au
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