Hundreds of surfers and swimmers formed a circle in the ocean off Bondi Beach to pay tribute to 12-year-old Nico Antic, who died after a shark attack in Sydney Harbour.
BONDI BEACH: Hundreds of surfers and swimmers paddled into the ocean off Australia’s Bondi Beach on Sunday in a moving tribute to a 12-year-old boy killed by a shark.
The paddle-out ceremony saw family and friends form a large circle in the water, splashing the surface in honour of Nico Antic.
“We love this kid so much, our Nico. We’re going to miss him, miss him forever,” the boy’s father told mourners gathered on the sand, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Nico was a member of the junior lifesaving program at North Bondi.
He was attacked by a suspected bull shark on January 18 while playing with friends at a Sydney Harbour beach.
The boy suffered serious leg injuries and died in hospital less than a week later.
His school posted a photo of the tribute online, calling it a “beautiful tribute for Nico”.
The fatal attack was one of four shark incidents recorded in New South Wales within 48 hours, leading to the temporary closure of dozens of beaches.
Officials said heavy rain had washed into the harbour and ocean, creating brackish water conditions that raised the risk of shark encounters.
According to a national database, Australia has recorded more than 1,280 shark incidents since 1791, with over 250 proving fatal.
