Hunt for shark that killed man in 'scene from Jaws' as order made to destroy it

A search has been launched to find a shark that tore into a man and killed him on a beach in Australia.

The horror attack, likened to a 'scene from Jaws' unfolded at Sorrento Beach, in Perth, about 10.15am on Friday (18 September).

Traumatised witnesses watched on as the unnamed man, who was swimming, was reported as missing in the water. Emergency services carried out a huge search including helicopter crews.

Now, an order has been made for the shark to be located and destroyed with specialists attempting to track the fish.

As per 7News, the man was swimming with a friend along the coast when the shark attacked him. He is believed to have been aged in his 60s and was a regular swimmer and in the local surfing club.

Rescue teams at the scene (7News)

The Western Australia Police force later confirmed the man died as a result of the attack at around 3pm.

They also said that an extensive search of the area was carried out by authorities but have not confirmed whether a body was recovered.

One witness told WAtoday that she saw the man being 'mauled' and that the shark 'tossed him around like a fish'.

It was likened to a scene out of the Jaws movie, which also featured a deadly shark.

She recalled: "I'm a nurse, so I mean I obviously see a lot of gruesome stuff, but to see somebody being mauled to death in the water in front of me is pretty hard to clock.

Sorrento Beach in Perth (Getty)

"I only live just down the road, and I swim every day. I mean, there's no way I'm going to be getting in that water again."

Another witness said the attack 'happened so fast' and 'was like a scene off Jaws', as reported in 7News.

“I just can’t believe it,” Darrel Haythornthwaite said. “Especially in a place like this”.

Members of the public were reported to have seen a shark at around the same time of the incident.

The beach was closed to the public amid investigations, with police asking members of the public to avoid the area.

The Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club said Sorrento beach would remain closed until 12pm on Saturday (19 September).

Emergency crews at the scene (7NEWS Australia)

It was reported that Western Australia's Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis has issued an order for the shark, described as '6m long', to be destroyed if found.

Local police have drafted in a shark expert to understand the shark’s behaviour, according to reports by 9News Perth.

Drumlines have been deployed on the coastline but as of Friday, the shark is still alive and has not been captured.