Woman killed in shark attack in South Africa as her husband and daughter watched helplessly

A woman has died after being attacked by a great white shark in shallow water in South Africa.

Kimon Bisogno, 39, was on holiday at the seaside town of Plettenberg Bay with her husband and five-year-old daughter when the tragedy unfolded.

Her partner and child watched helplessly as she was snatched from waist-deep water and mauled to death by the animal at around 8am on Sunday morning.

The beach, along with others in the town, was closed following the attack.

Her friends and family took to social media to pay tribute. Friend Carmin Commins wrote on Facebook: “I have scrolled through your page over and over again and hoping that it is a mistake.

“I don’t know how the world could let someone like you go too soon but what I do know is that anyone that you met you touched their life with your love.

“The world truly lost a bright shining light and pure soul who left happiness, laughter, glitter and kindness where ever you went.

“You were so genuine with so much love in your heart.”

Another friend wrote: “Such sad news. I will remember your joyous, infectious laugh forever. RIP Kimon – too good for this earth.”

Police have opened an inquest into her death.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and the local authority urged members of the public to be cautious along the coastline running along Plettenberg Bay to Southern Cape.

“At this moment there seems to be more shark activities in our beaches. This is very unusual when compared with previous years,” the NSRI said.

It is not the first fatal shark attack to take place in South Africa this year. Two swimmers were killed by a great white in April, with the body of one of them washing up on a beach in the eastern city of Durban.

Ms Bisogno was a restaurant owner who ran a pizza parlour in Cape Town with her husband, according to reports.