A male swimmer has died after a shark attack at Sorrento Beach in Perthâs northern suburbs, triggering extensive beach closures and an emergency response along Western Australiaâs coastline.
The swimmer killed in the Sorrento Beach shark attack has been identified in the latest reporting as a 63-year-old man who had been swimming with a friend on Friday morning. His death is the third fatal shark attack recorded in Western Australia in 2026 and the state’s 24th shark-attack fatality since 2000. The shark species involved has not been confirmed. Beach closures were imposed across Perthâs northern coastline following the attack, with authorities urging people to stay out of closed waters and follow SharkSmart safety alerts.
WA Police have confirmed the male swimmer died as a result of the shark attack at Sorrento Beach. Almost 12 kilometres of coastline from Marmion to Iluka has been closed until at least noon on Saturday. Hillarys, Whitfords and Mullaloo beaches have also been closed.
The emergency was reported at about 10:15am local time on Friday, September 18. St John WA received reports of the attack before police, Water Police and other emergency services responded to the popular beach about 20 kilometres north of Perthâs CBD.
Police initially mounted an air-and-water response after reports that a swimmer had been attacked offshore. Authorities later confirmed the man had died. Police have not publicly released further details about the victim.
Emergency services are responding to a suspected fatal shark attack at Sorrento Beach, 20 kilometres north of Perth.https://t.co/rZ6hOerX63
â News24 Australia (@News24Aust) September 18, 2026
Witness reports seeing blood in the water
Witness Jacqui Rapaic told ABC News she was walking along the beach with a friend when they became aware of the attack. She described seeing a pool of blood in the ocean and believed two men had been swimming, but only one made it back to shore.
Another witness, Russell James, described seeing police, ambulances and people gathered near the waterâs edge after the shark alarm sounded.
Water Police remained offshore while officers patrolled the beach. A police helicopter was also seen above the area during the emergency response.
The latest ABC News report on the Sorrento Beach shark attack said a member of the public had earlier reported seeing a shark estimated to be about 2.5 metres long off the beach.
Shark species has not been confirmed
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the species of shark responsible for the fatal attack or established whether the earlier 2.5-metre sighting involved the same animal.
Early reports containing much larger estimates of the sharkâs size remain unverified. The confirmed information is that a 2.5-metre shark had been reported in the area before the attack.
The incident is the second reported shark attack in Western Australia this week. Earlier in the week, Geraldton firefighter Mel Ismail was injured in a shark attack and was reported to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Nearly 12 kilometres of coastline closed
The fatal attack prompted authorities to close almost 12 kilometres of coastline from Marmion to Iluka until at least noon on Saturday.
The City of Joondalup also closed Hillarys, Whitfords and Mullaloo beaches, according to information published through the WA government’s SharkSmart service.
Sorrento is a popular swimming location immediately south of Hillarys Boat Harbour. Part of the beach previously had a shark barrier, but that barrier was removed in 2020.
Shark barriers are used at several other WA beaches, including Cottesloe, Coogee, Quinns Beach in Wanneroo and Bathers Beach in Fremantle, although some are seasonal and are not installed until October.
Attack comes as seasonal patrols increase
The attack happened about a week after Surf Life Saving WA began weekend helicopter shark patrols ahead of the summer season. Daily patrols are scheduled to begin from September 26.
The incident follows another serious Western Australian case earlier this week, when a 56-year-old man suffered leg injuries in the Glenfield Beach shark attack near Geraldton.
Western Australia has also recorded fatal shark attacks this year, including the Rottnest Island shark attack involving Steven Mattaboni. Authorities have not suggested any connection between those incidents and the Sorrento attack.
WA Premier responds to fatal attack
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook described the Sorrento death as a âheartbreaking tragedyâ and expressed condolences to the victimâs family and loved ones as well as the first responders who attended the scene.
According to figures cited in the latest reporting, the swimmer’s death is the 24th fatal shark attack recorded in Western Australia since 2000. Ten of those fatalities occurred in the Perth metropolitan area, while three have occurred in WA during 2026.
Beach closures remain in place
The focus has now shifted from the initial emergency response to the investigation and coastal safety measures. The victimâs identity and the shark species have not been publicly confirmed.
Beachgoers are being urged to stay out of closed waters and follow instructions from police, lifesavers and local authorities. The Marmion-to-Iluka closure is expected to remain in place until at least noon on Saturday, subject to further advice from authorities.
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