A 13-year-old boy has been killed in a shark attack that took place off the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion.

Elio Canestri was surfing with seven friends and was thought to be around 15 metres off shore in a section of the sea which is off-limits off the island’s west coast, the Mirror reports.

A rescue services spokesman told the Mirror: “A boat was launched very quickly, and the victim was dragged out of the sea, but he died from his wounds.”

The young surfer lost limbs and part of his stomach in the attack that was witnessed by several other surfers, including children, who are being treated for trauma.

View photos The 13-year-old was swimming with seven others at 9am on Sunday when the shark attacked. Photo: Facebook More

Professional surfer Jeremy Flores wrote a tribute to Elio on his Instagram account: “ANOTHER shark attack in Reunion island this morning. 13 years old Elio was one of our best up and coming surfer. Words can’t describe how sad and angry i am. So young !!! Heart breaking News. RIP : ( “

La Reunion islanders are currently trying to identify new methods to protect swimmers as this is the 16th shark attack on the island since 2011.

View photos This is the seventh fatality as a result of a shark attack since 2011. Photo: Facebook More

Tourist chiefs have reported concerns over the attacks on the tourist industry.

In 2013 a teenage girl was bitten in half as she swam along the shoreline and in February earlier this year a 20-year-old swimmer died in hospital from her injuries caused by a shark attack.

The Indian Ocean island is close to Madagascar and as it is a French territory it is part of the European Union.



