January 24th, 2026 - 12-Year-Old Australian Boy Dies from Shark Attack Near Sydney

A 12-year-old boy, Nico Antic, tragically passed away on Saturday after a shark attack earlier in the week near Sydney. The boy was bitten by a large bull shark on Sunday afternoon while jumping off a rock ledge at Vaucluse Beach, a popular spot in the city's suburbs. His parents, Lorena and Juan, confirmed his death in a statement.

The attack occurred during a period of heightened shark activity along Australia's southeastern coast. This was the first of four shark encounters within a 48-hour span earlier this week in New South Wales. Other incidents included a shark biting a boy's surfboard and another surfer being bitten on the leg, while a third was knocked off his board. Several beaches in northern Sydney were closed in response.

Experts believe recent heavy rain and warmer waters have brought sharks closer to shore, increasing the likelihood of encounters. While shark attacks are rare in Australia, authorities have urged swimmers and surfers to exercise caution, avoid murky water, and adhere to beach closure notices. Despite efforts to stop the bleeding and administer CPR, Nico succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital, where he received multiple blood transfusions before his passing.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Garner (verb, GAHR-ner) - Garner means "to acquire by effort; earn" or "to accumulate or collect."

Example: The new research findings have garnered the attention of medical experts.

Image credit: Unsplash