Four people drowned on an unmonitored beach in the Australian state of Victoria, in the worst tragedy in the state's waters in 20 years.
Police have identified the victims who drowned in the sea off Newhaven, Phillip Island, as two 20-year-old women, a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman.
They were all of Indian origin, he said Australia High Commission of India.
Two off-duty lifeguards, who were surfing in the area, pulled three of the victims from the water, while a rescue boat took over the rescue of the fourth.
All four were unconscious and unresponsive, and the man and two women died at the scene.
The other 20-year-old woman was flown to Melbourne He was hospitalized in critical condition, but he later died.
Their relationship to each other has not been confirmed, as their families are still aware of the matter, and the Indian High Commission in Australia said that it is providing support to the relatives and friends of the victims.
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Life Saving Victoria said this was the state's worst beach tragedy since 2005, when five people drowned in Stingray Bay on the state's southwest coast.
The organization added that the area where the drowning occurred was not subject to patrols, although rescuers were stationed in two adjacent areas.
She urged anyone planning to go into the waters off Phillip Island to stick to the area's patrolled beaches.
Victoria Police Eastern District Assistant Commissioner Karen Nyholm described the incident as “horrific”.
“For those who witnessed this… I'm sure it's something they will unfortunately have to remember for the rest of their lives,” she said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan offered her condolences to the families of the victims and reminded people to be “aware of local conditions” when visiting a place, adding that those “who know this area well should not swim there.”
Police are investigating the incident, and the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.
