12-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Bitten by Shark

A 12-year-old boy bitten by a shark in Australia’s Sydney Harbour has died from his injuries, his family confirmed on Saturday.

The victim, identified as Nico Antic, was attacked last week while swimming with friends in the eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. The group had been jumping into the water from a six-metre rock when the incident occurred.

In a statement, Nico’s parents, Lorena and Juan Antic, said their son died from injuries caused by the attack.

“We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away,” they said.

Police said recent heavy rainfall had caused runoff to flow into the harbour, reducing water visibility at the time of the incident.

After the attack, Nico was pulled from the water by emergency responders and taken to hospital in critical condition, suffering severe blood loss.

Describing their son, his parents said Nico was “a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy” known for his kindness and generosity.

The fatal incident was one of four shark attacks recorded in the Sydney area over a two-day period, prompting authorities to close dozens of beaches as a precaution. It was the city’s third shark-related death in recent months.

In September, a surfer was killed by a great white shark at a northern Sydney beach. Two months later, a woman died after being attacked by a bull shark while swimming at a remote beach north of the city.

Marine experts say factors such as rising ocean temperatures and increased human activity in coastal waters may be influencing shark movement patterns, potentially increasing the risk of encounters.