In brief
A 65‑year‑old swimmer, Janine Lochrenberg, was killed after a shark attack off the coast of KuGompo City early Tuesday morning. Witnesses said she suffered two bites and died before she could be rescued. The incident marks the first fatal shark bite recorded in South Africa this year, with fewer than ten deaths since 2012. Authorities closed Orient Beach and nearby stretches following the attack.
South African swimmer Janine Lochrenberg, age 65, lost her life after a shark attacked her during a morning swim off KuGompo City on Tuesday. Witnesses on the beach said the shark bit her in two places – her thigh and upper arm – and she drowned before help could reach her.
Lochrenberg had been swimming with a local club and was wearing a magnetic shark‑repellent band at the time, but it could not prevent the fatal bites. She was known for her love of water and future plans for a retirement road trip with her partner.
Shark attacks are rare on South Africa’s east coast. Since 2012, fewer than ten people have died from such encounters. This event is the first recorded death in the region for 2026.
Coastal authorities closed Orient Beach and a nearby beach to prevent further incidents while the area is investigated.
