CNN
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A 16-year-old girl was killed by a shark while swimming in a river in Perth, Western Australia, local authorities said.
The teenager was pronounced dead after being pulled from the Swan River, CNN affiliate Nine News reported.
Inspector Paul Robinson of the Western Australian Police said at a press conference: “This is a very traumatic incident for everyone.
Robinson said the girl jumped into the water to swim with a pod of dolphins she spotted nearby.
Police pulled her out of the river and tried to save her life, but she died on the spot, he added.
An official investigation is currently underway.
Robinson said it was unclear what kind of shark attacked the girl, but local media reports suggested it may have been a bull shark, which is common in most rivers around Australia.
In 2021, a bull shark attacked a local man in his 50s in the Swan River. He was pulled out of the water by a witness who tried to stop the bleeding from his leg.
Bull sharks can be aggressive, but marine experts reiterate that attacks remain “incredibly rare occurrences.”
“The mouth of the Swan River is good habitat for white sharks, and this means people can come into close contact with them,” said Andrew Chin, senior researcher at James Cook University.
“Unfortunately, some encounters end badly, and in this case, tragically.”
“While bull sharks are very daring, it’s also important to remember that these incidents are extremely rare occurrences.
“Everyone should follow swimmer and shark safety advice from local authorities and be individually prepared in case the worst happens.”
