A man attacked by a large shark at a Sydney beach has died of his injuries, police said on Saturday, the first such incident in more than 3-1/2 years, which prompted the closure of several beaches.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, the victim, yet to be identified, was attacked just after 10 a.m. at Long Reef Beach, in the north of the capital of the Australian state of New South Wales, police said.

“He was retrieved from the surf and brought to the shore; however, died at the scene,” they said in a statement, adding that the victim suffered critical injuries.

Two sections of a surfboard were retrieved and taken for examination, police added.

It was not yet known what species of shark was responsible for the attack, which prompted Saturday’s beach closures, authorities said.