Surfer killed in shark attack off France's Réunion Island

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Reunion Island has a reputation as a shark attack hotspot

A surfer has been killed in a shark attack off the coast of the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean.

The man in his mid-30s was surfing in a prohibited area off the small fishing town of Saint-Leu when the attack took place on Thursday, according to French media reports.

An official confirmed to the BBC that a surfer died in a shark attack but could not immediately provide more details.

Surfing is heavily restricted on Réunion due to the threat from sharks.

The attack took place at 16:30 local time (12:30 GMT) off the coast of Saint-Leu, on the west of the island, according to reports.

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Firefighters told French media that the shark tore off one of the surfer's legs, and his body was later recovered from the port of Saint-Leu, where he was pronounced dead.

Three other people surfing with the man got back to shore safely.

Ahead of the attack, the local government had issued a statement (in French) on Thursday morning urging caution in the sea, citing the risk of bull shark attacks amid shifting temperatures.

Réunion has historically been a popular destination for surfers.

However, in recent years it has also become known as a shark attack hotspot and surfing and other water activities there have been heavily restricted.

Thursday marked the 24th shark attack and the 11th fatal one reported on the French island since 2011, according to reports.