Australia kills two sharks after an attack on tourists near the Great Barrier Reef

Two sharks were killed in Australia after attacking a woman and a girl on the famous Great Barrier Reef tourist site in two separate incidents. A spokesman for Fisheries Queensland said drumming lines, using baited hooks to catch predators, captured two tiger sharks – a 3.3-meter long.

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"Although sharks of this size are potentially very dangerous to humans, we do not know if they were responsible for injuries caused to two swimmers this week," he said.

"Shark carcasses will be towed at sea for disposal". The spokesman added that the ropes would remain in place next week to reduce the risks for swimmers.

The last shark attack was reported eight years ago in the region, reported the national television channel ABC.

This week's incidents have rejuvenated the debate on how best to reduce the risk of encounter between sharks and visitors to the area.

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Many marine scientists refuse to kill sharks and insist that drum ropes are a blunt instrument because they often catch other creatures.

New South Wales, the country's most populous state, has tested non-lethal measures such as aerial drones to track shark movements and "smart" drum lines that alert authorities to their presence.

(With agency contributions)