As the Easter weekend unfolds, Australia's eastern states have experienced devastating wave conditions, leading to the tragic drowning of five people. The incidents unfolded mostly around New South Wales and Victoria, where authorities are also searching for two missing individuals.
The grim events began when a man's body was discovered in the waters close to Tathra in southern New South Wales on Saturday, following the earlier losses of a 58-year-old fisherman and two other men in various incidents across the state. Search efforts are currently focused on locating a man who was swept from shore near Sydney.
In Victoria, a similar scenario played out on Friday, where a woman drowned and a man went missing after their group was caught in a dangerous wave at San Remo. Thankfully, one woman from their group managed to swim back to safety, but the other's fate remains uncertain.
Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, expressed her condolences, describing the situation as an "awful start" to the holiday. "My thoughts are with the family of someone who has lost their life in such tragic circumstances," she shared, acknowledging the potential for more distressing news ahead.
Authorities have urged beachgoers to stay vigilant and opt for patrolled beaches following the unfortunate events. Adam Weir, head of the charity Surf Life Saving Australia, emphasized the importance of safety in coastal areas, noting that there have been 630 drownings at unpatrolled beaches over the last decade. He offered crucial advice: "Stop, Look, Stay Alive," reminding vacationers that coastal environments can pose unexpected dangers even for the most experienced swimmers.
