Shark Attack Death: Tim Van Heerden Killed By Shark In South Africa (VIDEO)

The death of a surfer in South Africa is the latest in a world-wide spate of shark attacks in areas previously thought to be relatively safe.

Tim Van Heerden was killed on Monday in South Africa's Plettenberg Bay. His death was the first-ever reported fatality from a shark attack on that beach.

Van Heerden's death follows the deaths of two tourists in the Seychelles in recent weeks. The deaths there were the first reported shark attacks in the islands since 1963.

Swimmers off Russia's east coast have also fallen victim to shark attacks this month, with two attacks in a region where bears are the more traditional animal threat.