Shark attack at Dee Why leaves surfer Mercury Psillakis dead; rescuers confront chilling aftermath

A 57-year-old individual named Mercury Psillakis was tragically attacked and severed by a giant shark measuring five meters in length at Dee Why, situated on Sydney's Northern Beaches, around 10am on a Saturday morning.

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2025 September 15 . 9:01 AM

2 min read

Shark attack claims life of surfer Mercury Psillakis at Dee Why, leaving behind a heroic act before... — Shark attack claims life of surfer Mercury Psillakis at Dee Why, leaving behind a heroic act before his demise; rescuers face a grim scene

Shark attack at Dee Why leaves surfer Mercury Psillakis dead; rescuers confront chilling aftermath

In a tragic incident off the coast of Sydney, a fatal shark attack occurred at Dee Why beach, near Long Reef, over the weekend. The victim, identified as Mr. Psillakis, was surfing when he was attacked by a shark, suffering catastrophic injuries.

The incident has prompted the closure of all beaches between Narrabeen and Manly, with authorities anticipating they won't reopen until Monday. Dee Why, which was protected by nets, was the site of the attack, while nearby Long Reef, where Mr. Psillakis' twin brother, Mike, was attending a junior surf competition, remains open.

Superintendent John Duncan commended the bravery of the surfers who tried to save Mr. Psillakis but acknowledged that nothing could have prevented the tragic outcome.

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) is responsible for the installation and operation of shark nets at beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong. The deployment of these nets was increased ahead of the summer season, with 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong now equipped with them.

However, it's important to note that only one fatal shark attack at a netted beach has been recorded in NSW - at Merewether, Newcastle, in 1951. The species of shark in Saturday's attack hasn't been identified, but its actions suggest it might have been a great white.

Great white sharks are more active along Australia's east coast due to whale migration, which brings these predators closer to shore. The police and lifeguards ran along the beach to alert swimmers of the danger, and the surfers who attempted to save Mr. Psillakis brought his remains ashore.

This incident has sparked calls for enhanced safety measures and discussions about the effectiveness of shark nets in protecting beachgoers. As the summer season continues, authorities will undoubtedly be under pressure to ensure the safety of swimmers and surfers alike.