One fisherman died after being swept away by waves near Sydney, Australia on the 19th. Australia's east coast was hit by huge waves this weekend, increasing the number of drownings to six.
According to an AFP report, New South Wales police said in a statement that emergency rescuers pulled two people from the waves at Wattamolla Beach, but one of them could not be saved.
The two were swept away while fishing on rocks in a southern suburb of Sydney. The survivor is a 14-year-old boy who is currently being treated in the hospital and is in stable condition.
Multiple drowning incidents occurred in Australia over this Easter weekend. Since the 18th, two people have been swept away by waves and are still missing, one near Sydney and another near Melbourne.
Three people drowned in New South Wales on Friday. On the same day in Melbourne, a woman died and a man went missing after being swept out to sea.
Waves in some parts of Australia reached up to 3.5 meters on Saturday. The Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) had previously issued a warning stating that strong waves would lead to dangerous surf on the coasts of New South Wales and Victoria.
According to data released by the SLSA before the weekend, over the past 10 years, a total of 630 people have died on beaches without lifesaving services.
Chief Executive Officer Will recommended that people prioritize beaches with patrol services to ensure safety.
"We know Australians and tourists visiting our country enjoy camping, fishing, and other coastal activities in remote areas."