Rockaway Beach closed for almost 20 hours on Saturday and Sunday because of shark sightings, the city's Department of Parks and Recreation said.
The beach closed for swimming on Saturday just after 2 p.m. and reopened on Sunday at approximately 10 a.m. The closure came during a heat wave that is bringing high temperatures to the city.
Rockaway Beach is temporarily closed for swimming due to shark sightings in the area. Beach goers are not allowed in the water at this time, but the boardwalk and concessions remain open. We will reopen the beach when it is safe to do so.
— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) July 23, 2022
This wasn't the first time the Queens beach shut down because of a shark sighting. Earlier this week, Rockaway Beach was closed for four hours after a shark was spotted.
There have been five reports of shark attacks along coastal areas near Long Island in the past two weeks.