How did the friends of the 14-year-old boy in the Torres Strait respond?

The friends of the 14-year-old boy acted with "incredible bravery and quick thinking" to provide first aid after the shark attack, according to the Torres Shire Council.

What factors are contributing to the increase in shark encounters in northern Australia?

Experts say warmer ocean temperatures, habitat loss, and declining fish stocks are driving sharks closer to shore in search of food, leading to more interactions with humans in coastal regions like northern Australia.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Shark Attack Leaves 14-Year-Old Fighting for Life in Australia

Shark Attack Leaves 14-Year-Old Fighting for Life in Australia

Q: What happened to the 14-year-old boy in Australia?

The 14-year-old boy was severely injured in a shark attack while fishing with friends off the coast of Thursday Island, Australia.

16 Nov, 2025

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Summary

14-year-old boy severely injured in shark attack
Incident occurred on October 11th near Thursday Island
Warmer oceans and habitat loss driving sharks closer to shore

Shark Attack Leaves 14-Year-Old Fighting for Life in Australia

On October 11th, 2025, a 14-year-old boy was severely injured in a shark attack while fishing with friends off the coast of Thursday Island, located in Australia's Torres Strait. According to local reports, the incident occurred around 6:20 p.m. that evening when the teen entered the water and was struck on the chest by the shark.

The boy's friends acted quickly and bravely to provide first aid, and emergency responders arrived shortly after. The teen was transported to Thursday Island Hospital before being airlifted to Townsville University Hospital for urgent surgery. Authorities have confirmed that the boy suffered critical injuries to his abdomen and internal organs, and he remains in critical condition.

The attack has been deeply felt by the close-knit island community, with local officials praising the swift actions of the responders and the boy's friends. While shark attacks remain relatively rare, incidents like this one are becoming more frequent in certain regions as environmental changes influence wildlife behavior.