Categories: Just Politics

‘We’re heartbroken’: 12-year-old boy dies after shark attack in Australia

A 12-year-old boy, Nico Antic, has died in hospital after being bitten by a shark in Sydney Harbour, Australia.

Antic’s family confirmed his death via a statement on Saturday, January 24, 2026, after a series of shark attacks along Australia’s east coast.

The boy was attacked last Sunday as he and friends were jumping off rocks in Vaucluse, around 9 km (5.5 miles) from Sydney’s central business district.

He was pulled from the water by friends and taken to the hospital with severe injuries to both legs, Reuters reported.

The family stated: “We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away.

Social media platforms block 4.7m underage accounts in Australia

“Nico was a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit. He was always full of life and that’s how we’ll remember him.”

Dozens of beaches, including in Sydney, were closed this week after four shark attacks in two days, as heavy rains left waters murky and more likely to attract the animals.

In September, a surfer was killed by a large shark at Sydney’s Long Reef beach.

Australia averages 20 shark attacks a year, fewer than three of them fatal, according to data from conservation groups. Those numbers are dwarfed by drownings on the country’s beaches.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Oyo teachers’ strike leaves pupils idle, worries parents

The indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has sparked…

7 minutes ago

Why I can’t marry a Nigerian ― DJ Cuppy

Nigerian Disc Jockey Florence Otedola, fondly called DJ Cuppy, says family background and celebrity status…

23 minutes ago

Rarara slams Davido over insecurity comments

Hausa political singer, Dauda Adamu, popularly known as Rarara, has criticised Afrobeats star David Adeleke,…

58 minutes ago

Tinubu inaugurates judges’ quarters in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration's provision of housing for judicial officers is aimed…

1 hour ago

Kaduna Assembly passes disease control centre bill

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to establish the Kaduna…

2 hours ago

Nigeria, Cameroon sign agreement to strengthen border security

The Federal Government of Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on…

2 hours ago

This website uses cookies.