Cape Town beaches reopen after shark attack

15 Jan, 2010

Beaches in the popular False Bay area south of Cape Town have reopened after a brief closure following a fatal shark attack on 12 January, although the local authorities continue to urge caution.

Beaches from Glencairn to Strandfontein Pavilion were closed after a 37-year-old tourist, Lloyd Skinner from Zimbabwe, was killed by what is believed to have been a Great White shark while swimming off the popular Fish Hoek beach.

Tourists and Capetonians were allowed back to the beach on 14 January although they are being advised to use only beaches that have life-saving facilities and shark spotters and to stay in shallow water and only swim in groups.

Shark sightings are not uncommon at this time of year, which is the height of the city