Fatal shark attack on sea urchin diver in Mozambique

This incident was the first of two fatal shark attacks in Vilankulo within a single week, prompting a coordinated governmental response including beach closures and an active shark-hunt operation involving the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park — qualifying as a multiple-victim cluster event with documented public-safety consequences.

On December 30, 2024, an unidentified male diver was fatally attacked by a shark while diving for sea urchins in the bay near Vilankulo (Vilanculos), Inhambane Province, Mozambique. The incident occurred in the Indian Ocean waters off this coastal region. The victim was engaged in subsistence diving activity when the unprovoked attack occurred. Local authorities confirmed the fatal nature of the attack, though specific medical details regarding injuries were not disclosed in public reports. The shark species involved was not identified. This incident occurred during a period of heightened shark activity in the area. A second fatal shark attack occurred just days later on January 3, 2025, also in Vilankulo, raising significant concerns among local residents and authorities. In response to the incidents, maritime authorities in Vilankulo implemented temporary safety measures, suspending diving and bathing activities in suspected shark-inhabited areas. A coordinated response operation was launched to locate the responsible shark, involving personnel from the maritime administration, Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, and local fishers. No further information regarding the outcome of these operations was publicly reported. These attacks underscore the risks faced by subsistence fishers and divers in Mozambique's coastal waters and the importance of understanding shark behavior in areas where human activities overlap with shark habitats.