A tragic shark attack claimed the life of a teenage boy at a renowned holiday and surfing destination in South Australia, as reported by local authorities.

The incident occurred on Thursday near Ethel Beach in Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula, a popular spot for tourists and surfers. 

The body of the victim was recovered from the water following the attack, with South Australia Police being alerted to the incident at 13:30 local time on Thursday.

A resident of the area mentioned that this fatal attack on Thursday was the first of its kind that he was aware of at the resort. 

The police, in their statement, did not specify the age of the teenage victim, and they are in the process of preparing a report for the coroner.

“Sadly the body of a teenage boy was recovered from the water,” police said in a statement.

Ethel Beach, a 400-meter-long sandy surf beach with waves averaging 1.5 meters, has traditionally been frequented by surfers and tourists. Unfortunately, this recent incident adds to a series of shark attacks in South Australian waters in recent months.

The statement from South Australia Police outlined the tragic discovery of the victim’s body and the ongoing efforts to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

Australia, second only to the US in shark attacks, has witnessed a surge in such incidents, prompting scientists to clarify that an increase in shark sightings does not necessarily indicate a rise in shark numbers.