A 50-year-old woman was bitten by a shark on Monday afternoon while swimming at Rockaway Beach, marking the first confirmed shark attack in New York City in decades. The incident occurred near Beach 59th Street, and the woman was bitten on her left leg. Lifeguards quickly responded, removing her from the water and providing first aid before emergency responders transported her to Jamaica Hospital. As of Tuesday morning, her condition was serious but stable. In response to the attack, lifeguards ordered everyone to exit the water, and helicopters conducted a search for sharks, but none were spotted. As a precaution, the beach is closed for swimming and surfing on Tuesday.

The New York City parks department described the shark attack as an extremely rare occurrence and expressed hopes for the swimmer's full recovery. The incident prompted park officials to close all of Rockaway's beaches, leaving only the boardwalk accessible to beachgoers. Last summer, five shark attacks occurred on Long Island over a two-week period. In 2017, a surfer at Rockaway Beach was potentially bitten by a shark, requiring 40 stitches in his foot. While a baby great white shark named Bruin was spotted near the area, experts suggested that the wounds may not have been caused by a shark.

The recent attack highlights the presence of sharks along the New York coast and the need for continued monitoring. Shark sightings have become more common in Queens and on Long Island in recent years. Sand tiger sharks, which can grow up to 10 feet, have been observed in relatively large numbers along the Long Island coast this summer. These sharks are attracted to the bays and baitfish of the area. In 2022, New York State recorded eight out of its 20 reported shark attacks since 1837, according to the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File.

Authorities will continue monitoring the Rockaway Beach area for sharks, using helicopters and drones to scan the waters. Coney Island Beach has already been employing shark-monitoring drones since the beginning of the summer. In June, swimmers had to evacuate the water at Rockaway Beach due to a shark sighting. Despite these incidents, officials emphasize that shark bites in Rockaway are exceptionally rare and remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of beachgoers.