Swimmer killed in brutal shark attack on crowded beach as witnesses hear his cries

The Australian tourist was swimming near a pontoon about 150 meters from Château-Royal beach in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia The shark attack happened off a beach in Nouméa, New Caledonia (

Image: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

An Australian tourist has died in a horrific shark attack off a crowded beach in New Caledonia.

The man was swimming near a pontoon about 150 meters from Château-Royal beach in the capital Nouméa on Sunday afternoon when the shark attacked him, biting him repeatedly.

Beach lifeguards were alerted to the attack after hearing screams from people in the water. They quickly evacuated the beach,

The swimmer was rushed to shore by two people sailing near their boat, while other swimmers who witnessed the incident fled the water.

The bite victim was helped by several civilians on the beach. Paramedic Dr Vincent Ouradou told local TV channel La 1ère that the 59-year-old had been bitten at least three times on his arms and legs.

The man had been bitten several times on the arms and legs (file image) (

Picture:

Getty Images/Image source)

Despite resuscitation efforts, the man died at the scene.

Sonia Lagarde, mayor of Noumea, has ordered the closure of the majority of beaches in the region.

Drones have been deployed to locate sharks in Nouméa waters, with Ms. Lagarde ordering the capture of tiger sharks and bulldog sharks in the area.

Two were spotted just before operations were suspended after dark.

An investigation has been opened into the attack, police said, which occurred inside the area guarded by lifeguards.

This comes after a 49-year-old swimmer was seriously injured last month by a shark, also near Château-Royal beach.

A few days later, a surfer was also attacked by a shark - but he escaped without injury.