Two shark attacks in two days at Australian resort

A 12-year-old girl was bitten by a shark in the Whitsunday Islands, a popular tourist spot in north-east Australia, just hours after a 46-year-old woman was attacked in the same area.

Authorities said they are planning to install drum lines attached to baited hooks to try to capture or kill the shark.

The latest attack, which left the girl with a serious leg injury, occurred at Cid Harbour, in the state of Queensland, yesterday. The girl suffered significant blood loss and is in hospital in a critical condition.

The incident follows an attack on Justine Barwick, an Australian tourist, who was mauled while snorkelling off a boat on Wednesday afternoon.

Ben Mccauley, from a rescue helicopter service, said the shark took a “huge chunk” from the inside of Ms Barwick’s leg. “She’s very lucky to be alive,” he said.

Australia has had a spate of shark attacks in recent years. Experts are unclear about the cause of the rise but have suggested it may be due to changing ocean temperatures and greater numbers of swimmers and surfers in the water.