Swimmer attacked by shark on beach in Southern California

Lifeguards were seen posting signs in the area of ​​17th Street in Del Mar, California, after a shark attack was reported on Sunday, June 2, 2024. (Hilary White)

A beach in Southern California was closed Sunday morning after a swimmer was reportedly attacked by a shark, KTLA sister station KSWB/KUSI reports.

Officials from Del Mar, about 20 miles north of San Diego, said a 46-year-old man was bitten by a shark just before 9 a.m., about 100 yards offshore from the Beach Safety Center at 17^th Street.

The man was reportedly one of about a dozen deep-sea swimmers who meet regularly for training in Del Mar. A city official said lifeguards saw a swimmer helping another swimmer and arrived without realizing anyone had been bitten.

The man suffered visible bites on his upper body, left arm and hand. He was taken by ambulance to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. The city authorities said his injuries were not life-threatening.

Shortly after the incident, lifeguards were observed posting signs in the area of ​​17th Street that read “SHARK INCIDENT, NO TREES.” The date of the sign was given as June 2, 2024.

“In accordance with protocols developed by the California Marine Safety Chiefs Association and the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach, lifeguards posted signs and closed Del Mar beaches to swimming and surfing one mile in both directions from the incident – ​​approximately 6^th Street to North Beach – and have notified neighboring jurisdictions,” the city said.

About 40 miles north, in San Clemente, authorities closed a popular beach for Memorial Day after a shark knocked a surfer off his board the night before. The surfer was not injured, but the beach remained closed for 24 hours.

The sighting of a shark of 3 metres or more will result in a closure, usually for several hours. Any type of aggressive behaviour will automatically result in a 24-hour closure until more sharks are sighted.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.