French man killed by shark while surfing on honeymoon

GlobalPost

A French man was attacked and killed by a shark while surfing on his honeymoon as his new wife lay nearby.

The 36-year-old was surfing in the Indian Ocean off the beach of Brisants de Saint-Gilles on the west of the French island, Reunion.

According to witness reports, the shark charged at the surfer twice, biting him in the arm and the thigh.

A swimmer nearby saw blood in the water and alerted lifeguards who dragged the man to shore.

The man lost a large amount of blood and went into cardiac and respiratory arrest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The attack happened as the man's new wife was on the beach nearby. She is reportedly being treated for shock.

Reports indicate that the couple were visiting from Morteau, in eastern France.

The attack was the first shark of the year on the popular vacation island, which is off the east coast of Africa.

According to AFP, three people were killed by sharks in the past two years.

Another surfer on Reunion island survived last summer after a shark tore off his arm and leg. 

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