Durban North police have confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened after the decomposed body of a man washed up on the shores of a beach in La Lucia on Friday afternoon.

Netcare 911 spokesperson, Shawn Herbst, said the body, which had several shark bite marks, was discovered near Lady Ellen Crescent at about 16:36.

“While walking on the beach, a man came across the decomposing body of an adult male, [lying] face down between washed up flotsam. A second body was also seen in the shore break but it was washed back out to sea by the strong surf before lifeguards arrived on scene,” he said.

Various rescue personnel including the Durban Metro Search and Rescue, Ethekwini Lifeguards, Marshall Security, SAPS Search and Rescue, and Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team (S.T.A.R.T.) were on scene.

“When medics turned the body over for assessment, it was found that a portion of the right upper arm and right chest area were missing, with multiple shark bite marks clearly visible,” says Herbst.

He says that although authorities will determine the exact cause of death, it is believed the deceased had been predated after drowning.

Durban North SAPS spokesperson, Captain Raymond Deokaran, said investigations are ongoing.