Queensland shark attack: Two British men injured at tourist spot

Two British men have been seriously injured in a shark attack at a popular holiday spot in Australia.The men suffered leg wounds in the attack near Airlie Beach in Queensland, a rescue service said. They were aged in their 20s or 30s, local media said.

Authorities said a tour boat had carried the men back to shore, where they were treated by paramedics. They were then flown to hospital.

Airlie Beach is a popular stop-off for visitors to the Whitsunday Islands.The region has experienced a number of shark attacks in recent years.An Australian man died last November after he was attacked while swimming at Cid Harbour in the Whitsunday Islands.

Two months earlier, the same holiday spot was the scene of two other shark attacks within 24 hours. Both victims survived, although one - a 12-year-old girl - later had a leg amputated.

In response to those incidents, authorities culled six sharks in the area and controversially installed drum lines - baited hooks which are suspended underwater. The drum lines were later removed due to their impact on other marine life.

At the time, experts said there was insufficient evidence to explain why the attacks had occurred in the same area. Sharks can be drawn by fishing activity or dirty water, and tend to be more active during dusk.

Unprovoked shark attacks have injured 10 people in Australia this year, according to the Australian Shark Attack File.