Cape Town woman killed by shark in Plettenberg Bay

A 39-year-old woman from Cape Town was killed by a shark at Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay on Sunday morning.

The NSRI's Craig Lambinon said the woman's body was recovered from the water and brought to the beach, after NSRI & Bitou municipality were alerted of the incident just before 8a.m.

“A NSRI Plettenberg Bay and police services were activated at 07:53, following reports of a shark incident at Central Beach.”

“Police have taken the body in their care, together with Western Cape Government Forensic Pathology Services. Police have opened an inquest docket,” he added.

All beaches in Plettenberg Bay have since closed.

“NSRI and the Bitou municipality are appealing to the public to be cautious along the Plettenberg Bay and Southern Cape coastline. Beaches have been closed in Plettenberg Bay by Bitou municipality,” said NSRI's spokesperson, Craig Lambinon.

The Bitou municipality said it is researching shark activity at Central Beach.

“The Bitou Council in May approved a research on shark barrier at central beach. This study will go a long way to assist in understanding the behaviour of the sharks. At this moment there seems to be more shark activities in our beaches. This is very unusual when compared with previous years,” said Andile Namntu, Bitou Communications Manager.

“Bitou Municipality have also established a shark committee to work with experienced private sector personnel to assist with limiting such incidents,” he added.

 

PICTURE - NSRI: The scene where the shark incident occurred in Plettenberg Bay

Done By: Mitchum George