A "Danger Requin" or caution sharks sign at a beach near Saint-Denis.
This is a list of fatal shark attacks in Réunion. Reunion is an overseas department and region of France and an island in the Indian Ocean with over 207 km (128 miles) of coastline and hundreds of public and private beaches.[1]
As of late 2018 there have been 27 fatal attacks and 56 total attacks since 1913.[2] The island was the locale for over 16% of the world's fatal attacks from 2011 to 2016.[3] The reason for the frequency of fatal attacks has to do with the island's tropical location. The island is situated in a so-called "shark highway" between Australia and South Africa, two countries with shark dominated waters. Many large sharks who use this shark highway find Réunion home due to its diverse aquatic ecosystem and coral reefs, offering sharks a thriving home.[4][5][6]
A study released in 2015 showed Réunion had recorded a remarkable 3.15 shark-related deaths per one million people, by far the highest in the world. The next highest rating was that of South Africa, with 0.76 per one million residents, while the United States had a rate of 0.0013 per million.[7]
2000s
Name
Sex
Date
Location spot
Species
Details
Ref(s)
Kim Mahbouli, 28
M
9 May 2019
Saint-Leu
unknown
Kim Mahbouli, from Paris, was fatally attacked near Réunion Island on a banned stretch of surf. Surfing in the area is heavily restricted due to a rise in shark attacks, and authorities reportedly issued warnings to steer clear of the water earlier that morning. Local officials said Mahbouli was with 3 friends, who were all wearing shark-repelling devices on their ankles, who tried but weren't able to get him to land. Mahbouli was not wearing a repelling device.
Canestri was surfing with friends in the morning. Lifeguards say they heard Canestri shout and went to help him, and then attempted to stop the bleeding. He was pronounced dead on arrival to the hospital.
Bishop was swimming with 12 other friends in an unknown spot when she was attacked. Her friends pulled her to shore, but her wounds were too severe and she died the following day.
Roperth was on holiday and was snorkeling with a group of tourists. Based on witness accounts, she was on the outer edge of the group in 10–12 foot waters when she was attacked. A big dorsal fin of a shark was seen behind her seconds prior to the attack. She was bitten in two at the torso, with the shark carrying off the lower half. The species of the shark is unknown.
At approximately noon, Schiller's body board washed ashore with no sign of Schiller. This alerted lifeguards who at approximately 12:45 p.m. called for a full scale search. After three hours of searching, a police helicopter found Schiller's body 50 feet out on a 75-foot rock jetty. Bite wounds were discovered along his side.
Émond was surfing alone when he was attacked by a great white. His left leg was bitten off midway up his thigh. It is believed he drowned before he could be pulled ashore.
Oudin was swept out to sea by a 70-foot wave while standing on a jetty. Witnesses say there were multiple dorsal fins observed around Oudin and that he was attacked nearly 300 feet from shore. His body wasn't recovered until April 13.
Mercredi was surfing when he cut his leg on coral or a rock. Moments later he was dragged off of his board and attacked. A friend who was 20 feet away paddled towards Mercredi and punched the shark away. Mercedi was conscious until medical staff arrived but his condition worsened and he succumbed to his wounds hours later.
An unidentified woman was attacked after falling from a yacht drunk. Witnesses say sharks had been seen in the area that past week. The woman reportedly swam towards the sharks. Police reported her death a possible suicide.
