Shark Bites Off Both Hands Of Surfer

A man has reportedly lost both hands after being attacked by a shark off the Western Australia coast.

The 23-year-old is believed to have been surfing at Wylie Bay Beach in the town of Esperance when he was bitten.

He lost one arm from the wrist and the other from the elbow, according to a Seven News report.

The victim also suffered serious injuries to his legs.

He was taken to hospital for treatment immediately after the attack which happened at around 11am (local time) on Thursday.

Several species of shark hunt in the waters off Australia. Pic: File

Western Australia Police said the Department of Fisheries was investigating the attack and had deployed equipment in an effort to catch the shark.

It is unknown what species of shark was involved in the attack.

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It is the second shark attack in the waters off Esperance in a year.

A man was seriously injured by a suspected great white while diving for abalone off an area called Poison Creek last October.

Although sharks are common in Australian waters, the country has averaged fewer than two fatal attacks per year in recent decades.