Eastern Australia is bracing for more rough seas after giant waves slammed into the coast over the Easter weekend, killing at least five people and leaving two others missing.
The worst-hit areas were New South Wales and Victoria, where powerful waves crashed ashore, sweeping people out to sea. On Saturday, a man’s body was found in the water near Tathra, New South Wales, bringing the total death toll to five. The previous day, three men were found dead on the coast of New South Wales, including a 58-year-old fisherman.
In Victoria, a woman died after being swept out to sea at San Remo. Authorities are still searching for two people who went missing during the incidents – one near Sydney and another at San Remo. At San Remo, a group of tourists was hit by a wave, and while one woman managed to swim back to shore, a man and another woman were unable to do so.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the start of the Easter weekend as “terrible” and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. She warned that more bad news could be on the horizon.
The Australian coast is no stranger to rough seas. Adam Weir, president of Surf Life Saving Australia, advised tourists to stick to patrolled beaches, citing statistics that show 630 people have drowned at unpatrolled beaches over the past decade.
The incident highlights the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled beaches, especially during strong wave conditions. Authorities urge beachgoers to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines to avoid similar tragedies in the future.