Shark attack: Mutilated body with multiple bites washes up on Durban beach

Durban North South African Police Service (Saps) are investigating the circumstances under which a man’s decomposing body, mutilated by multiple shark bites, washed ashore.

Durban shark attack

According to Netcare 911, a man walking along the shore off Lady Ellen Crescent in La Lucia, Durban, discovered the body on Friday afternoon.

The man’s shark bitten body was already decomposing when it was discovered.

When medics turned the body over for assessment, it was found that a portion of the right upper arm and the right chest area was missing, with multiple shark bite marks clearly visible.

“A second body was also found in the shore break but had washed back out to sea by the strong surf before lifeguards arrived on the scene,” Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst.

Investigation continues

Netcare 911, Durban Metro Search and Rescue, Ethekwini Lifeguards, Marshall Security, Saps Search and Rescue Unit, and S.T.A.R.T. combed the scene to try and locate the second body.

The mutilated body was handed over to the Durban North SAPS for further investigation.

NOW READ: Jeffreys Bay beaches closed after shark attacks surfer

Back in 2021, a warning was issued by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to residents and holiday-goers along the coastline between East London and Eastern Cape.

Earlier, a 38-year-old man went missing while bodyboarding.

While the NSRI and EMS personnel were conducting a search, the man’s bodyboard was washed up on the beach, riddled with bite marks.

READ MORE HERE: Bodyboarder missing, shark warning issued for Chintsa