Shark attacking a ship. Photo: The Australian

A diver sustained critical injuries in a “serious” shark attack in Western Australia on Saturday, authorities said.

The man in his thirties was attacked by a 4.5-metre (15-foot) shark off Michaelmas Island, southeast of Perth, ambulance services and the Western Australian government said.

The attack was reported around 11:25 am (0325 GMT), they added. Related News Man in critical condition after shark attack in Australia Australia to quarantine six people from hantavirus ship 13-year-old swims four hours to save family at sea in Australia

The attack comes just two weeks after a man was killed by a shark in northern Queensland state — the third fatal shark attack this year in Australia.