Home / Shark Attacks / 1948 Shark Attacks in 1948 In 1948, the Global Shark Attack File logged 29 shark attacks worldwide — 6.3% above the historical annual average. 11 were fatal (37.9%). Australia accounted for the most incidents that year, with 6.
Fatality rate
37.9%
Global avg 21.2%
vs. annual avg
6% above
Hist. avg 27.3/yr
Countries with the most incidents in 1948 Species most often involved in 1948 Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.
Notable incidents in 1948 Lancelin Island, Australia Fatal
1948-12-26 · Swimming · His hand was found in a 2.4 m [8'] tiger shark caught 1/5/1949
King’s Beach, Caloundra, Australia Fatal
1948-12-25 · Treading water, waiting for a wave
10 miles off Cape Maisi, Cuba Non-fatal
1948-12-13 · 2 messboys (Jeppsen) & Tony Latona (13) were playing on the afterdeck of the Danish ship Grete Maersk. Jeppsen fell overboard, Latona threw a lifebelt then jumped in to help him. Ship didn’t notice they were missing
Abadan, Iran Non-fatal
1948-12-13
Rib Reef off Townsville, Australia Non-fatal
1948-12-09 · Fishing
500 nautical miles southwest of Johnston Island Fatal
1948-12-04 · Air/Sea Disaster involving C-54 Air Force Transport No. 2686 with 37 on board
Saibai Island, 80 miles north of Cape York, Australia Non-fatal
1948-11-17 · Pearl diving
Keratsini, Greece Fatal
1948-09-21 · Swimming · Said to be 6.4 m [21'] shark
Off Makapauu Point, O'ahu, United States Non-fatal
1948-09-18 · Fishing
Off Makapauu Point, O'ahu, United States Non-fatal
1948-09-18 · Swimming
Frequently Asked Questions How many shark attacks were there in 1948? ▾ The Global Shark Attack File records 29 shark attacks worldwide in 1948, with 11 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1948? ▾ 37.9% of shark attacks recorded in 1948 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1948? ▾ The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1948 were Australia (6), United States (5), Iran (5).
Which shark species were most often involved in 1948 attacks? ▾ Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1948 were Lemon Shark, Tiger Shark, Nurse Shark.
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