A recent attack follows a dramatic survival story of surfer Alejo Santiñaque, who encountered a shark off the coast of Australia earlier this month.
The 20-year-old from Uruguay was waiting for a wave at Red Cliff when a shark unexpectedly bit his foot and pulled him underwater.
In a Facebook post, Santiñaque detailed how his quick thinking might have saved his life.
“I suddenly felt a hard hit and a strong pull on my foot,” he shared. “A shark had bitten me.”
As the shark got caught in his surfboard leash while dragging him down, Santiñaque chose to fight back rather than panic.
“It pulled me in the water, and my immediate response was to kick it as hard as I could to make it let go,” he explained.
His actions succeeded in making the shark release him. Although he endured a ruptured tendon and torn muscle, which necessitated surgery, Santiñaque emphasized the importance of remaining calm for his survival.
“Keeping a clear head was crucial,” he said. “From the moment I was bitten until I reached the beach, I focused on what I needed to do and avoided panicking.”
