Man killed by shark in New Caledonia

KOUARE – A 50-year-old French man died after being bitten multiple times in a “savage and sudden” attack by a shark while he was snorkelling with his wife and friends off a catamaran in New Caledonia.

Yves Berthelot, who ran a call centre in the French overseas territory, was snorkelling in shallow water alongside a boat that his family and friends had hired when he was attacked by a bull shark.

He was pulled out of the water by friends – several of whom were health workers – but was bleeding heavily after bites to the arm and groin. He died about 45 minutes later.

“It was really a savage and sudden attack,” a military police spokesman told local radio.

“Most people on board were health workers, the first aid given was significant but the injuries were such that unfortunately there was not much that could be done.”

Berthelot’s wife Anne was apparently on the boat.

The couple were believed to be travelling with a group of six other people for a weekend sailing trip through the southern islands, which are popular with tourists. The attack occurred while the boat was anchored off the island of Kouare.

Philippe Tirard, a shark expert, told Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes: “He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had no luck.”