Sydney, January 20, 2026 – The Europe Today: Dozens of beaches along Australia’s east coast, including Sydney, were closed on Tuesday following a series of shark attacks over the past two days. Heavy rains have left coastal waters murky, increasing the likelihood of shark encounters, authorities said.
Beaches near Port Macquarie, approximately 400 km (250 miles) north of Sydney, were closed after a man was bitten while surfing on Monday. He remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to health officials.
Earlier incidents included a 10-year-old boy who narrowly escaped harm after a shark knocked him off his surfboard and damaged it, while another boy was critically injured in a separate attack at a city beach.
Police announced that all beaches in the Northern Beaches area, which spans Sydney’s northern coastline, will remain closed until further notice as authorities assess the situation and ensure public safety.
