— A man identified by Australian media as Mercury Psillakis was fatally attacked by a shark at Long Reef Beach near Sydney on Saturday morning; emergency crews recovered the victim from the surf shortly after 10 a.m., and he was declared dead at the scene.
Key takeaways
- Victim named by media as Mercury Psillakis; reported to be married with a daughter.
- Attack occurred at Long Reef Beach near Sydney on Sept. 6, 2025, shortly after 10 a.m. local time.
- Emergency crews retrieved the man from the water; he died at the scene.
- Two sections of a surfboard were recovered for expert analysis.
- NSW Police and the Department of Primary Industries are working to identify the shark species.
- Surf Life Saving NSW deployed a drone and advised people to stay out of nearby waters; local beaches were closed.
- Witnesses described a large shark and reported hearing the victim call for help.
Verified facts
New South Wales Police said officers responded to reports of a person with critical injuries at Long Reef Beach shortly after 10 a.m. on Saturday, 6 September 2025. Emergency personnel pulled the man from the surf and attempts to save him were unsuccessful; police confirmed he died at the scene.
Local media have identified the man as Mercury Psillakis and reported he leaves behind a spouse and a daughter. Authorities have not released further personal details while next of kin are being notified and formal identification is completed.
Responders recovered two pieces of a surfboard from the water; police stated those items were taken for specialist examination to assist investigators. Officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command are working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries on species identification and other technical inquiries.
Surf Life Saving NSW launched a drone search for additional shark activity and closed nearby beaches as a precaution. Authorities urged the public to avoid entering the water in the affected area while patrols and searches continued.
Context & impact
Fatal shark attacks in New South Wales are rare but when they occur they prompt immediate beach closures and heightened local concern. Residents and surfers at nearby beaches reported shock and increased caution following the incident, with some saying they would avoid the water for days.
Local emergency and wildlife teams typically follow established protocols after an attack: securing the scene, recovering evidence such as board fragments, conducting water and aerial searches, and consulting scientific experts to identify the animal and assess ongoing risk.
Beach closures affect local recreation and businesses and often trigger renewed debate about monitoring, prevention measures and public education on marine hazards. Surf Life Saving NSW and police said they would keep the public informed as investigations proceed.
“Our deepest condolences go to the family of the man involved in this terrible tragedy,”
Steve Pearce, Surf Life Saving NSW (statement)
Unconfirmed
- Witness reports that the shark was among “the biggest” they had seen are not independently verified.
- Photographs associated with coverage showed activity at nearby Dee Why Beach; it is not confirmed that those images depict the same incident location.
Bottom line
The death of Mercury Psillakis at Long Reef Beach on Sept. 6, 2025, has prompted a police and scientific inquiry, temporary beach closures and increased safety patrols. Authorities advise avoiding the water in the area while investigations and searches continue; further updates will depend on forensic and expert findings.