A surfer in his 30s has died at St Leu after a shark attack. He was surfing in a restricted area. Three other surfers managed to get back to shore.

According to reports from local media the fish bit off his leg at 4.30pm local time on Thursday (1.30pm UK time).

The government had issue warnings yesterday ;

“Reunion is entering a transitional period between the summer and the austral winter, with southern swell fronts sought by water sports enthusiasts, and the use of the Reunionese coast by bulldog sharks, potentially dangerous, is more important as one enters the austral winter with a seasonal cooling of the temperature of the sea water.”

It is the 24th shark attack since 2011, and the 11th fatal.

No one really knows why there is such a large problem around the island.

Thoughts are with the family and local; surfing community.