Indonesia, with its stunning beaches and vibrant marine life, attracts countless visitors each year. But the harmony between nature and tourists isn’t always perfect. In recent times, there’s been a noticeable rise in shark attacks. Our aim is to provide you with up-to-date details on shark attacks in Indonesia, updated weekly. While these incidents remain rare compared to the number of beach-goers, it’s essential for both locals and tourists to stay informed and safe when enjoying the country’s beautiful oceans.
Recent Shark Attacks in Indonesia
| Date / Time | Country / Area | Activity | Name | Sex / Age | Injury | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07-01-2022 | INDONESIA ,Bali | Surfing | Sasha Utkina | F | Lacerations to foot | |
| 01-09-2017 07h30 | INDONESIA ,Bali | Surfing | Daniel Moore | M /48 | Injury to right wrist & forearm | Bull shark, 1 m |
| 04-25-2016 07h00 | INDONESIA ,Bali | Surfing | Ryan Boarman | M /24 | Elbow bitten | Bull shark, 6' |
| 11-29-2011 13h30 | INDONESIA ,Bali | Surfing | Marc Andrews | M /18 | Lacerations to right hand | |
| 04-13-2011 Morning | INDONESIA ,Bali | Surfing | Joe Ferrar | M | Lacerations to forearm | Bull shark, 2.5 m |
| 12-03-2010 | INDONESIA ,Bali | Surfing | Wei Ong | M | Lacerations to right hand | |
| 11-14-2010 | INDONESIA ,Bali | Surfing | male | M | Hand bitten | |
| 06-16-2002 | INDONESIA | Human remains (right forearm & leg) recovered from 3.7m [12'] tiger shark’s gut. Forensic examination suggested the remains had been consumed by the shark one to two weeks earlier | Shark involvement prior to death was not confirmed | |||
| 08-07-1984 | INDONESIA | Sea disaster, foundering of the cargo vessle M/V Dorolonda | 9 crewmen | M | FATAL | |
| 01-25-1966 | INDONESIA ,North Sumatra | wreck of the State Oil Company ship Permina | Sharks said to have killed some of the 80 people lost | |||
| 01-01-1942 | INDONESIA ,East Java | Captured Allied soldiers were squeezed into 3' bamboo pig baskets & fed to waiting sharks | 200 soldiers | M | General Imamura, Commander in Chief of Japanese forces in Java was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Australian Military Court for his role in the Pig Basket Atrocities | |
| 05-13-1908 | INDONESIA ,Java | native boats sunk in storm | F | FATAL | ||
| 09-27-1906 | INDONESIA ,Java | Swimming | William Munich | M | Thumb & index finger of left hand severed | |
| 09-27-1906 | INDONESIA ,Java | Swimming | a Swedish sailor | M | FATAL | |
| 04-27-1906 | INDONESIA ,Maluku Province | Hard hat diving | M | FATAL | ||
| 04-10-1906 | INDONESIA | The schooner Tahitienne foundered in a hurricane | Captain Baxter & Dick Chares | M | FATAL x 2 | |
| 07-10-1905 | INDONESIA ,Nusa Tenggara | Jumped or fell overboard | a fireman from the Ettrickdale | M | FATAL | |
| 03-29-1895 | INDONESIA ,Moluccas | Swimming | Pindo Island pirates | M | FATAL | |
| 10-24-1878 | INDONESIA ,East Java | Swimming | William Jones Owen | M /22 | FATAL | 15' shark |
| 01-01-1864 16h00 | INDONESIA ,Sumatra | Reaching for life preserver | male, from the ship Speedwell | M | FATAL | |
| INDONESIA ,Jakarta Harbour | Bending over | child | M /7 | FATAL | Tiger shark, 3.7 m to 4.3 m [12' to 14'] | |
| INDONESIA ,30 nm from Singapore | The 2379-ton French steamer La Seyne collied with British steamer Onda & sank in minutes. Passengers jumped overboard expecting to be picked up by Onda’s boats | FATAL, 101 people perished, including commander, Joseph Couailhac. Iit was reported that a “shoal of sharks circled passengers in the water and dragged scores of people to their deaths” Of the 61 survivors, many were injured by sharks | ||||
| INDONESIA ,Riau Province | Swimming near anchored ship | a ship's engineer | M | FATAL, leg severed | ||
| INDONESIA ,East Flores | 9 fishermen & pregnant woman | FATAL |
Which regions in Indonesia have the highest reports of shark attacks?
Indonesia, known for its diverse marine life, has registered several shark attack incidents. The regions in Indonesia with the most reports of shark attacks are the Riau Islands and East Nusa Tenggara.
What precautions can travelers take to avoid shark encounters in Indonesia?
Travelers in Indonesia can take several precautions to avoid shark encounters. They are advised to avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are most active and to stay away from areas where fishing activity is high, as these can attract sharks. Additionally, they should always be alert and informed about the beach they are visiting and heed any warnings or instructions from local authorities.
How does the government of Indonesia respond to shark attacks?
The government of Indonesia responds proactively to shark attacks, prioritizing immediate medical care and implementing subsequent investigations to understand the circumstances of the incident. Furthermore, Indonesia places an emphasis on education and awareness campaigns to enhance public safety and understanding of shark behavior in their waters.
