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Family Holds Vigil for Boy, 12, After Sydney Harbour Shark Attack

The GuardianTuesday, January 20, 2026
Family Holds Vigil for Boy, 12, After Sydney Harbour Shark Attack

The family of a 12-year-old boy attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour is steeling itself for profound loss, as their son remains in a critical condition after more than two days in hospital. Nico Antic was bitten on both legs last Thursday afternoon while in the water at a beach in Vaucluse, in the city's eastern suburbs.

A close friend of the family described the boy's injuries as devastating. He has been under intensive care since the incident, with medical teams working to save his life. An online fundraiser established to support the Antic family has confirmed his identity and the severity of the situation.

Relatives and friends are now gathered in a painful vigil, confronting what one source close to the family called "the worst possible outcome." The attack has sent shockwaves through the local community, renewing discussions about shark activity in the iconic harbour. Authorities have reiterated safety advice for swimmers, but for one family, the focus remains solely on their son's fight for survival in a Sydney hospital.

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