A Japanese national was killed in a shark attack while surfing off Australia's east coast Monday, Australian authorities said.

The victim, 41-year-old Tadashi Nakahara, was sitting on his board waiting for waves when a great white shark came up and bit his legs off. 

Authorities said the attack happened around 10 a.m. at the popular tourist spot Shelly Beach, near the town of Ballina, south of Brisbane.

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Balina Mayor David Wright said Nakahara was just 10 meters from the shore when the shark attack happened.

The man's friends, who had been surfing with him, rushed to get him out of the water in a bid to save his life.  But Nakahara did not survive.

"He bled to death very quickly because his legs were severed," Wright said.

Nakahara had been staying at Shelly Beach for at least year.  He worked as a surfboard technician and a cleaner at a hotel.

Authorities said the shark that attacked the Japanese surfer may be the same shark that attacked another surfer at nearby Seven Mile Beach last Sunday.

New South Wales Saving Manager Andy Kent said lifeguards are now on standby at all beaches in Ballina.

"This is obviously a very serious incident and we would ask that the public follow the directions of emergency service workers and lifeguards by remaining clear of the water," Kent said.

The incident brings to four, the number of shark attacks in the past five months in Australia. Sharks are common off Australia's waters, but fatal attacks are still considered rare.

It was not clear if Shelly Beach had been temporarily shut down following the fatal shark attack on Monday.

Tagsshark attack, Australia, shelly beach