Hunt in Progress for Missing Surfer Presumed Deceased in Australian Shark Encounter

Police in South Australia are on a search for the body of a man who is believed to have been killed in a shark attack. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning near Granites Beach on the Eyre Peninsula, south of Streaky Bay. Witnesses reported seeing the 55-year-old surfer being attacked by the shark. Local volunteers have joined the authorities in scouring the area by air and water. This marks the third serious shark attack in the state this year, with another surfer being killed in May and a third surviving a non-fatal attack earlier this month. The type of shark involved is unclear, but witnesses have described it as being over 4 meters (13 feet) in length. The town of Streaky Bay has been experiencing an increase in surfers, possibly due to the fishing season, which could explain the heightened presence of sharks in the area. While the waters of South Australia's west coast are known for sharks, scientists have cautioned that more sightings do not necessarily indicate an increase in shark numbers. Granites Beach is located about 700km (434 miles) from Adelaide, the state capital.