Swimmers have ignored orders to stay out of the waters in Sydney after a man was killed by a shark yesterday.
British expat Simon Nellist was mauled to death by a great white shark off Little Bay in East Sydney on 16 February, in what was the first fatal shark attack in the city for 59 years.
The fatal attack happened in front of many eyewitnesses just before 5pm on Wednesday with emergency services being called immediately.
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Four ambulance crews and a rescue helicopter with a critical-care doctor and paramedic were dispatched to the scene but there was nothing they could do.
7News reported that a wetsuit and partial human remains were pulled from the water around 6pm on Wednesday.
They have also reported seeing a graphic video in which choppy water turned red with blood as shocked bystanders watched in disbelief, which they have chosen not to publish for obvious reasons.
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Authorities are currently using helicopters and drones to search for the shark and a coastguard team on jet skis is also patrolling a 25km (15.5 mile) stretch of water from Bondi to Cronulla as they try to prevent any further attacks.
In the wake of this tragedy, beaches across the Sydney coastline have been closed to the public while authorities hunt for the animal.
However, these closures appear to have been ignored by some locals as 7News reports that swimmers and surfers have been sighted at a number of the closed beaches.
The 7News helicopter sighted more than a dozen surfers at Bondi beach, and swimmers at both North Bondi and Clovelly beaches.
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The premier of New South Wales, Dominic Perrottet, has released a statement urging people to stay out of the waters.
"To people right across our state, we have closed a number of beaches on the advice of the Department of Primary Industries and NSW Police," he said on Thursday.
"Can I say to everybody, please follow those instructions. If beaches are closed, please do not go in. Please stay safe.
"To the victim’s family and friends, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers and hearts are with you at this difficult time.
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‘It’s a reminder to us all of the fragility of life."
In recent years the New South Wales state government have spent millions on technology to reduce shark attacks along its coast.
As per DW, nets have been deployed at 51 beaches, as well as drones and shark listening stations that can track great white sharks by satellite, and send an alert when one is sighted.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/AlamyTopics: Australia, World News, Animals