Deadly shark attack kills woman, 39, as lifeguards rush to shut beaches following second fatal encounter in months

A fatal shark attack has left a 39-year-old woman dead in South Africa. Beaches have been shut around Plettenberg Bay on South Africa’s southern Cape coastline following the shocking killing on Sunday morning. It is the second deadly shark attack in the small town since late June. A spokesman for South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Craig Lambinon said local NSRI and South Africa Police Service (SAPS) units were scrambled at around 7.53am local time (6.53am BST). “The sea rescue craft Eric Stratford was launched,” Craig said. “On arrival at the scene, the body of a believed to be 39-year-old female from Cape Town was recovered from the water and brought to the beach.” An inquest has been opened by police and the unnamed woman’s body is in the care of the Western Cape Government Health and Forensic Pathology Services. The public has been urged to be careful along the Plettenberg Bay and Southern Cape coastline. Most read in News VLAD ALONE Isolated Putin loses his last allies as China & India tell him to end bloody war VODFATHER Costa 'crook' behind celeb vodka linked to 38 murders & 'helped launder £173m' GBH RAP Cabinet minister's sons arrested over assault that left teen with fractured skull 'I AM YOUR DEATH' Sick words of Russian who asked me if I wanted 'beautiful death' says POW KWART'S NOT TO LIKE? Delighted Brits back Kwasi's income tax & stamp duty cuts, poll shows BIG OF THEM Our family-of-4 is stuck in a 2 bed home - the association won't let us move