A teenage girl has tragically lost her life following a shark attack off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
17-year-old Charlize Zmuda, a "skilled lifeguard and experienced swimmer," was attacked while swimming at Woorim Beach on Bribie Island, roughly 45 minutes north of Brisbane, on Monday, February 3rd, just before 5 p.m.
According to the Queensland Ambulance Service, paramedics rushed to the scene after reports of a severe shark bite, with the majority of the injuries concentrated on the victim’s upper body. Police later confirmed that she had sustained life-threatening wounds. Despite the best efforts of emergency responders, she succumbed to her injuries on the beach.
In a social media tribute, a swim club she attended described her as "a strong swimmer, a skilled lifesaver and someone who knew the ocean well," calling her death a "cruel and unfathomable twist of fate."
The attack has sent shockwaves through the local community. Christopher Potter, a longtime area resident, described the incident as "absolutely shocking."
“A lot of people have swimming groups around here. They swim along the shore in the mornings and afternoons,” Potter told Channel 7 News affiliate ITV News. “I’ve been here for many years and have never seen anything like this. We all know there are sharks in these waters, but you just don’t expect something like this to happen.”
A Deadly Year for Sharks in Australia
This tragic attack marks yet another in a series of shark-related incidents in Australian waters. Just over a month ago, on January 2nd, 28-year-old surfer Lance Appleby was killed in a suspected great white attack at Granites Beach, South Australia. His body was never recovered, and loved ones later honored him with a memorial paddle-out.
More recently, Western Australian surfer Dale Kittow, 37, survived a terrifying encounter with a bronze whaler. Recounting the harrowing experience, he said:
“I jumped off the back of my board and put it between me and the shark. The shark bit into the board, we got tangled in my leg rope, went under, and I got dragged for a bit. I hit it a few times.”
Unfortunately, the teenage girl at Woorim Beach wasn’t as lucky. Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
As shark incidents continue to make headlines across Australia, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the risks that come with venturing into the ocean. Stay safe out there.
Amber Brion
February 6th, 2025
A 17-year-old girl, Charlize Zmuda, tragically lost her life following a shark attack off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The incident occurred on Monday, February 3rd, at Woorim Beach on Bribie Island, approximately 45 minutes north of Brisbane. Charlize, described as a “skilled lifeguard and experienced swimmer,” was swimming about 100 meters offshore when she was attacked. She sustained severe injuries to her upper body and, despite the prompt efforts of emergency responders, succumbed to her injuries on the beach. Westchester pool builder