Tag Archives: oceania

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Father-of-two named as victim of Rottnest shark attack

The man killed in a shark attack while spearfishing off Rottnest Island has been identified as father-of-two Steven Mattaboni.

The 38-year-old died on Saturday after he was attacked by what's believed to be a white shark near Horseshoe Reef, off the island near Perth.

Mattaboni, from Perth, had been in the water with friends when the shark attacked about 20 metres from their boat.

READ MORE: Beaches remain open on Rottnest Island after man killed in shark attack

Perth father-of-two Steven Mattaboni died in a shark attack while spearfishing near Rottnest Island on Saturday morning.

His mates pulled him on board and rushed him to the nearest jetty at Geordie Bay as paramedics prepared to respond.

Despite CPR from his friends and emergency crews, he could not be saved.

"His friends have actually witnessed the horrific event," Sergeant Michael Wear said on Saturday.

"The victim was on the surface at the time, about 20 metres away from the vessel."

Perth father-of-two Steven Mattaboni died in a shark attack while spearfishing near Rottnest Island on Saturday morning.

"Certainly quite horrific scenes for all involved, and all emergency services that were there did a fantastic job."

Authorities said Mattaboni suffered serious injuries to both lower legs.

Surf Life Saving WA later confirmed a five-metre white shark was seen about 80 metres offshore on Sunday morning, as patrols continued around the island.

A man in his 30s is in a critical condition after a suspected white shark attack on Rottnest Island near Perth. A St John WA ambulance spokesperson said emergency services were called to the scene off Geordie Bay at 10am (local time) today.A rescue helicopter, paramedics and police are at the scene.Perth father-of-two Steven Mattaboni died in a shark attack while spearfishing near Rottnest Island on Saturday morning.

Rottnest Island beaches have remained open following the attack, with shark experts maintaining that the overall risk to swimmers and surfers remains low.

Dr Daryl McPhee told Today the incident occurred a considerable distance offshore.

"I'd be more concerned if the bite occurred right on the beach, but its a long way off shore," he said.

The island, a popular tourist destination off Perth known for its beaches and quokka population, can be reached by ferry from the mainland.

Perth father-of-two Steven Mattaboni died in a shark attack while spearfishing near Rottnest Island on Saturday morning.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been notified and is working with local authorities following the fatal attack.

Australia recorded the highest number of fatal shark attacks in the world last year, according to figures released by the International Shark Attack File in February.

Five people died in shark attacks in Australian waters in 2025, with great white sharks linked to several of the incidents.

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Qantas flight diverted after passenger reportedly bites crew member

A man has been banned from all Qantas flights after allegedly biting a crew member on a flight from Melbourne to the United States, forcing the flight to divert to Tahiti.

The plane was forced to land in Papeete, Tahiti, where local authorities came on board the aircraft and arrested the passenger.

The plane was refuelled and able to complete its journey to Dallas, while the passenger has been banned from all Qantas Group flights, which includes Jetstar.

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It's understood the incident occurred aboard flight QF21, an 18-hour journey, with a screen in the video indicating there were still nearly 11 hours left of the journey at the time of the disruption.

Fellow passengers reportedly rushed to assist the airline crew during the confrontation, and no serious injuries were caused.

Segments of the apparent exchange were caught on camera by comedian Mike Goldstein, who was on the flight to Dallas-Fort Worth and shared a video on Instagram.

His video showed a passenger emerging from a bathroom and arguing with flight attendants about his behaviour.

The flight, bound for Dallas in the United States, was forced to divert in Papeete in Tahiti.

The passenger was stumbling, slurring his words, and repeatedly swearing at crew members and other passengers.

"There's kids around everywhere and you're acting immature," one flight attendant appeared to tell the passenger.

"You have to behave yourself, you're on a plane."

The passenger expressed some confusion at the fact that he was on a plane, and asked one flight attendant if he was "smoking any weed".

"I was just about to walk out for a cigarette," the passenger said.

UPDATE: Beaches remain open on Rottnest Island after man killed in 'horrific' shark attack

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Goldstein's video shows the passenger appearing to become more aggressive when he is told to go to the back of the plane.

According to a post on X by Air Nav Radar, the passenger allegedly bit a crew member, though this has not been confirmed by the airline or by authorities.

"The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority," a Qantas spokesperson told 9News.com.au.

"We have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights."

The flight ultimately arrived at its Dallas-Fort Worth destination several hours late on Saturday morning Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the passenger involved is not an Australian national.

The Australian Federal Police have been contacted for comment.

The mid-air disruption follows a string of recent high-profile incidents on domestic routes. 

Just last month, a 45-year-old Queanbeyan man was charged by the AFP after allegedly kicking a flight attendant and biting a fellow passenger on a Canberra to Perth flight. 

Similarly, in January, a 52-year-old Canberra woman was escorted off a flight at Perth Airport and charged after allegedly behaving erratically and forcibly grabbing a flight attendant's arm and head.

At the time of the previous incidents, AFP Acting Superintendent Hayley Faithfull reiterated that the agency works closely with airline partners to intervene in cases of aggressive or antisocial behaviour that poses a direct threat to crew or public safety.

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