Tragic Mass Drowning: 4 Bharatiyas Lose Lives at Australia’s Phillip Island

In a heart-wrenching incident, four Bharat nationals lost their lives in a mass drowning at an unpatrolled beach on Phillip Island in Australia’s Victoria, as confirmed by the Indian High Commission in Canberra on Thursday. The victims, part of an extended family group, include a man and two women in their 20s, and a woman in her 40s.

The distress calls to emergency services came in around 3:30 pm on January 24, reporting four individuals in distress in the water. Despite immediate and intensive CPR efforts by rescue teams, three of the victims, two women and the man, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The fourth victim, a woman in her 20s, was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in critical condition. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries later on.

Local media reports indicate that the 43-year-old woman who lost her life was on holiday in Australia, while the other three were residents in the country. The tragedy unfolded at Forrest Caves Beach, a popular tourist destination known for its sea caves. However, the beach lacks lifeguard patrols and is considered perilous for swimming, according to Australian media.

Forrest Caves Beach has raised safety concerns among locals, who emphasize its lack of lifeguard supervision. A 43-year-old woman and two women in their 20s lost their lives at the scene, while the third woman was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries.

The tragic incident has sparked discussions on social media about the safety of Phillip Island as a tourist destination. Some locals express concerns that increased promotion of the island could lead to more incidents. One resident cautioned, “If the island is going to be pushed so hard as a tourist destination, there will be more and more incidents.”

The Indian High Commission expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assured that the @cgimelbourne team is in contact with friends of the deceased, providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time.