Tragedy struck Australia’s eastern coastline over the Easter weekend as massive waves claimed six lives and left two people missing, according to authorities.
The latest incident occurred near Sydney on Sunday, when a fisherman was swept off the rocks at Wattamolla Beach. Despite rescue efforts, he could not be revived. A second individual, a 14-year-old boy, was hospitalized in stable condition.
These fatalities follow a series of drownings since Friday amid severe surf conditions along the coasts of New South Wales and Victoria. Three people died in New South Wales on Friday, while in Victoria, a woman died and a man remains missing after being swept into the sea near Melbourne. Another fisherman was killed in southern New South Wales on Saturday.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) had warned of dangerous swells reaching up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet), urging the public to stick to patrolled beaches. The organization highlighted that 630 people have died at unpatrolled beaches over the past decade.
SLSA CEO Adam Weir stressed the importance of coastal safety: “Stop, Look, Stay Alive,” he advised, especially for those heading to remote areas for fishing or camping.