Third Shark Attack Claims Life of Spearfisher in Australia
WHO:
AP News - A 35-year-old man was killed in a shark attack while spearfishing with family.
AP News - The last fatality prior to this incident was 39-year-old spearfisher Michael Jensz.
AP News - The previous fatality before Jensz was 38-year-old spearfisher Steve Mattabonni.
WHAT:
DW - A 4.5-meter (14.8 feet) shark of unknown species was spotted by a member of the public near Michaelmas Island on the same day as the attack.
DW - The attack is described as the third fatal shark attack in three weeks in Australia.
DW - A 4.5-meter (14.8 feet) shark of unknown species was spotted by a member of the public near Michaelmas Island on the same day as the attack.
AP News - The man was attacked by a shark while spearfishing.
AP News - Authorities suspect a 4.5-meter (15-foot) white shark was responsible for the attack.
AP News - This incident marks Australia’s third fatal shark attack in four weeks.
AP News - The average number of shark deaths in Australia has been around three per year in recent decades.
WHERE:
DW - The attack occurred about 390 kilometers (240 miles) south of Perth, the state capital of Western Australia.
AP News - The attack occurred off Michaelmas Island near the port city of Albany in Western Australia state.
AP News - The last fatality occurred on the Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s northeast coast.
AP News - Steve Mattabonni was fatally mauled northwest of Albany near Rottnest Island.
WHEN:
AP News - The attack occurred on a Saturday.
AP News - The last fatality before this incident was on May 24.
AP News - The attack on Steve Mattabonni occurred on May 16.
AP News - The only other fatal shark attack this year occurred in January.
WHY:
DW - There are around 20 shark attacks in Australia every year, but most of them are not deadly, according to data from conservation groups.
DW - There are around 20 shark attacks in Australia every year, but most of them are not deadly, according to data from conservation groups.
AP News - The spate of three fatalities is considered extraordinary for Australia.
HOW:
AP News - The man was brought by boat to Albany where paramedics were waiting, but he could not be revived.
(UPDATED June 6, 2026 23:15 UTC)
A 4.5-meter shark of unknown species was spotted near Michaelmas Island on the same day as a tragic attack, which marks the third fatal shark incident in Australia within just three weeks. While Australia typically sees around 20 shark attacks each year, most of these encounters do not result in fatalities, according to conservation groups. This recent spate of deadly attacks has raised concerns among locals and authorities alike.
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(UPDATED June 6, 2026 19:19 UTC)
A 4.5-meter shark of unknown species was spotted near Michaelmas Island on the same day as a recent attack that occurred about 390 kilometers south of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. While there are around 20 shark attacks in Australia each year, most are not fatal, according to conservation groups. This incident has raised concerns among local communities and authorities alike.
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(UPDATED June 6, 2026 13:19 UTC)
A 35-year-old man was killed in a shark attack while spearfishing with family off Michaelmas Island near Albany in Western Australia, marking the third fatal shark attack in the region in just four weeks. Authorities suspect a 4.5-meter white shark was responsible for this tragic incident, which comes on the heels of the last fatality involving 39-year-old Michael Jensz on May 24. Despite the average number of shark deaths in Australia being around three per year in recent decades, this recent spate of fatalities is considered extraordinary.