Australia's eastern coastline has grappled with dangerous waves this Easter weekend, resulting in the tragic deaths of five individuals. The coastal areas of New South Wales and Victoria have been particularly affected as severe weather conditions prompted a series of drowning incidents.
The emergency response began when search teams discovered a man's body in the waters near Tathra, New South Wales. This discovery occurred a day after the bodies of three other men, including a 58-year-old fisherman, were recovered amidst worsening sea conditions. Tragically, two additional individuals remain unaccounted for, sparking a search near Sydney after one man was reportedly swept away.
In another incident in San Remo, Victoria, a woman drowned while another man remains missing after their group was washed into the tumultuous waters. Marking a grim start to the festive weekend, Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, expressed her condolences to the bereaved families, describing the events as a heartbreaking development.
The CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia, Adam Weir, cautioned that beachgoers should heed safety advice when enjoying coastal regions, especially unpatrolled ones, which have seen 630 drowning incidents in the last decade. He emphasized the importance of staying vigilant, stating, "Some dangers are visible, while others are not."
As coastal regions prepare for ongoing surf conditions, community leaders call for heightened safety measures and awareness to prevent further tragedies.
