Australia shuts dozens of east coast beaches after shark attacks

Warning signs are in place, and beaches are closed after a surfer suffered a shark attack today at Dee Why Beach in Sydney, Australia, January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Jeremy Piper

SYDNEY, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Dozens of ‌beaches along Australia's east coast, including in Sydney, closed on Tuesday after four shark attacks in ‌two days, as heavy rains left waters murky and more likely to attract the animals.

Beaches around ‌Port Macquarie, around 400 km (250 miles) north of Sydney, were shut after a man was bitten while surfing earlier in the day. He remains in hospital in a stable condition, health authorities said.