Search Continues for Australian Surfer Presumed Dead Following Large Shark Attack

Witnesses report gruesome attack by shark over 4 meters in length off South Australia's Granites Beach; third fatal incident in the area this year.

A search is currently underway for a 55-year-old man who is presumed dead following a shark attack off South Australia's Granites Beach. The man was out surfing when he was attacked by a shark, described by witnesses as over 4 meters in length.
This incident marks the third fatal shark attack in that area this year, with another surfer killed in May and another victim surviving an attack earlier this month. The increase in shark sightings does not necessarily indicate a rise in shark numbers, according to local scientists.
The search for the man's body is being supported by local and regional police, state emergency services, and volunteers. The victim was reportedly further out in the water than other surfers present at the time.
According to local resident Phil McEvoy, an influx of surfers and the fishing season might have led to a possible rise in shark activity in the area. Authorities have urged anyone entering the water in the area to be aware of the risk of shark attacks.
Parts of the man's surfboard, which had a large bite mark, have been found, but his body remains missing. It is believed that a great white shark attacked the surfer. These predator species are known to inhabit the coastlines of South Australia.
Despite these incidents, unprovoked shark attacks remain rare, with the International Shark Attack File reporting only 42 confirmed attacks in South Australia since the 1700s.