Perth shark attack: Rare kill order issued as victim identified as Greg O'Neill

Live updates

1. 36d ago

   Perth Shark Attack Triggers Rare Kill Order After Death of Greg O'Neill

   Western Australia authorities have issued a rare catch-and-kill order for a great white shark following the death of 63-year-old Greg O'Neill at Sorrento Beach in Perth. The attack happened 15 metres from the shore on Friday morning in front of witnesses, marking the third fatal shark attack in the state this year. Searchers had not recovered his body as of Saturday, September 19, and beaches across Perth's northern suburbs remain closed while authorities hunt the animal. The incident has reignited public debate regarding shark safety measures and government responses.

   Why it matters

   When fatal shark attacks occur, governments face intense public pressure to act, though catch-and-kill orders face questions regarding whether they actually make the water safer. Search operations often race to find a shark that could already be long gone from the area. This particular tragedy compounds safety concerns in the region, which also recently dealt with beach closures involving sharks circling a dead whale carcass.

   What is confirmed

   • A 63-year-old swimmer identified as Greg O'Neill was killed by a shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth's northern suburbs on Friday morning.
   • The attack occurred roughly 15 metres from the shore in front of witnesses, with a friend nearby.
   • Western Australia authorities issued a rare catch-and-kill order for a great white shark following the incident.
   • As of Saturday, September 19, searchers had not recovered O'Neill's body.
   • Police stated they were confident the swimmer died in the attack.
   • This event marks the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The attack took place around 10:30 a.m.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the search for the great white shark subject to the catch-and-kill order
   • Decisions by Western Australia authorities on reopening Perth's northern suburban beaches
   • Official updates regarding the recovery of Greg O'Neill's body
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. 7news.com.au — Shark Attack Today: Latest & Breaking Shark Attack News Updates ...
   2. 7news.com.au — When a shark strikes, governments face pressure to act. But do catch-and-kill orders actually make the water safer?
   3. www.theguardian.com — After a dead whale washed up at a Perth beach, some took selfies. Others held their nose from the stench
   4. usnewsbreak.com — A Shark Took Him Near The Shore — Then Officials Made A RARE ...
   5. www.europesays.com — Whale carcass forces City Beach closure as sharks circle
   confidence 100%
2. 45d ago

   Rare kill order issued after Greg O'Neill killed by shark at Sorrento Beach

   Western Australia authorities issued a rare catch-and-kill order for a great white shark after it killed 63-year-old Greg O'Neill at Sorrento Beach in Perth. The attack occurred 15 metres from the shore in front of witnesses. Nearby beaches are closed while the shark is hunted. O'Neill's body has not yet been recovered. This event marks the third fatal shark attack in the state this year, reigniting public debate regarding shark safety measures in Western Australia.

   Why it matters

   Great white sharks are protected species, making official kill orders infrequent. The location is a popular city beach often crowded with swimmers. This incident follows a pattern of increasing fatalities in the region during 2026.

   What is confirmed

   • Greg O'Neill, 63, was killed by a great white shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth.
   • Western Australia issued a rare catch-and-kill order for the shark.
   • The attack happened 15 metres from the shore.
   • This is the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year.
   • Nearby beaches were shut following the attack.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The shark involved was 20 feet long.
   • O'Neill was a father.

   What to watch next

   • Recovery of Greg O'Neill's body
   • Confirmation of the shark's capture or kill
   • Official government response to shark safety debates
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. abcnews.com — Shark kills swimmer off Western Australian city beach
   2. CBS News — Swimmer killed in shark attack in front of horrified beachgoers in Australia: "I could see a pool of blood"
   3. News.com.au — ‘SCENE FROM JAWS’: Man dead in shark attack 15 metres from shore
   4. FOX Weather — Swimmer killed in shark attack off popular Western Australia beach
   5. The Guardian — Swimmer dies after being bitten by shark off popular Perth beach
   6. Yahoo — 'Like a scene off Jaws.' Shark kills swimmer at busy beach
   7. SURFER Magazine — 20-Foot Great White Shark Kills Swimmer in Western Australia ‘Like a Scene Off Jaws’ (Video)
   8. BBC — Perth shark attack: Beaches shut as deadly attack prompts rare kill order
   9. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Greg O'Neill identified as fatal shark attack victim at Perth's Sorrento Beach
   10. Yahoo — ‘Kill the Shark’: Western Australia Issues Rare Great White Hunt After Fatal Attack
   11. telegraph.co.uk — ‘Catch and kill’ order after great white shark fatally attacks swimmer
   12. New York Post — Dad mauled to death by shark in front of horrified friend as rare kill order issued for monster great white
   confidence 95%