Two British tourists, a 17-year-old boy and a 46-year-old man, tragically drowned off the coast of Queensland, Australia, at a popular tourist location close to the Great Barrier Reef. The unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday in Seventeen Seventy, a beach area devoid of lifeguards.
Emergency services responded to the scene, with police rescue helicopters retrieving the victims, who were pronounced dead shortly after being pulled from the water. An Australian man is currently in critical condition after being swept out to sea; he sustained serious head injuries and has since been airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Authorities did not disclose the identities of the deceased British nationals but confirmed their origin. The local emergency service, CapRescue, noted that despite rigorous rescue efforts, both men could not be saved.
According to police reports, the injured Australian, hailing from Monto—approximately 150 kilometers inland from the coastline—may have entered the water in an attempt to rescue the drowning tourists. Surf Life Saving Queensland's Darren Everard addressed the media, urging beachgoers to be cautious, especially as only one beach in the last 50 kilometers is routinely manned by lifeguards.
Officials confirmed that the drownings are being treated as non-suspicious, with a report being prepared for the coroner. Royal Life Saving Australia reports that 107 people drowned across Australia last year, with a significant percentage occurring among foreign visitors. Everard emphasized the importance of engaging with local safety knowledge and adhering to designated swimming areas.
