Crime & Safety

Shark Sighting Closes Mission Beach

Lifeguards closed a two-mile stretch of Mission Beach on Thursday after a shark sighting.

A two-mile stretch of Mission Beach near Belmont Park will remain closed Thursday after a San Diego lifeguard spotted the 18-inch dorsal fin of a shark in the surfline.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Spokesman Maurice Luque said the shark was sighted approximately 100 yards off the coast by a lifeguard in the water. More than 300 beachgoers were evacuated from the waters, he added.

Luque said it is hard to estimate the size of the shark from its dorsal fin, but guessed it could be 10 feet long.

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A San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopter crew searched the area immediately following the sighting. No other sightings were reported as of Thursday afternoon. All other city beaches, including La Jolla Shores, remained open.

Mission Beach will reopen Friday morning, according to Luque.

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