JOHANNESBURG: A woman died on Tuesday after being mauled by a shark while swimming off a popular beach on South Africa`s southeastern coast, witnesses and authorities said.

Fatal shark attacks are uncommon worldwide but South Africa has a history of deadly encounters along its long coastline.

Tuesday`s attack was at Orient Beach in KuGompo City, previously known as East London, where the municipality closed nearby beaches and urged thepublic to stay out of the water. `It has been confirmed that a shark attack occurred at Orient Beach this morning, and this resulted in a tragic incident,` it said.

Police said they were called to the scene at around 7am, where they found the body of a 65-year-old woman with `openwounds`. Localmediareportedthewoman was a regular swimmer and had been swimming with a group when the attack occurred.

A local community group said other swimmers had spotted a shark`s tail and fin. -AFPpublic to stay out of the water. `It has been confirmed that a shark attack occurred at Orient Beach this morning, and this resulted in a tragic incident,` it said.

Police said they were called to the scene at around 7am, where they found the body of a 65-year-old woman with `openwounds`. Localmediareportedthewoman was a regular swimmer and had been swimming with a group when the attack occurred.

A local community group said other swimmers had spotted a shark`s tail and fin. -AFP