A man kitesurfing off the coast of Poindimié, on the north-east coast of Grande Terre, died on Thursday in New Caledonia. According to the Noumea prosecutor’s office, he died by drowning before being attacked by sharks.
The public prosecutor, Yves Dupas, announced Friday that an investigation to determine the causes of death had been opened. A probable scenario has been outlined.
Thursday around 2:30 p.m., a 39-year-old man, resident of Poindimié, was on a kitesurfing trip with a friend when he fell into the water, getting tangled in the lines of his kite, according to the prosecution. Having lost consciousness, he received first aid from his friend, but several sharks quickly arrived on the scene.
Poindimié firefighters intervened with a boat and recovered his body. “The examination of the body, carried out at the request of the prosecution, favors death by drowning, followed by a shark attack that tore off the lower limbs,” the prosecutor said. A 21 cm bite was noted.
In recent years, the risk of shark attacks has increased considerably in New Caledonia, especially in the south of Grande Terre, particularly in the bays of Nouméa. In 2023, of the 10 deaths recorded worldwide due to shark attacks, one took place in New Caledonia in February.
