Swimmer Killed in Shark Attack Off South Africa's Coast
A 65-year-old woman died Tuesday morning after being attacked by a shark while swimming with her open water club in Gqeberha (formerly East London).
A shark attack off the coast of South Africa resulted in the death of 65-year-old Janine Lochrenberg on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred as Lochrenberg was participating in her club's daily open water swim off a beach in Gqeberha (formerly East London).
Witnesses reported that Lochrenberg was bitten twice and was brought back to shore, but succumbed to her injuries before reaching land. Her sister stated that Lochrenberg bled out in the water, while a fellow swimmer mentioned she was bitten on the thigh and upper arm.
According to her family, Lochrenberg was wearing a magnetic shark repellent band on her ankle at the time of the attack. She was a retired medical physicist and described by her partner as a strong swimmer with a deep love for the water, despite acknowledging the area's elevated shark presence.
Orient Beach, the site of the attack, has been closed along with a nearby beach, authorities confirmed. Shark attacks are relatively rare in South Africa, with the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File recording fewer than 10 fatal incidents since 2012.