At least six people have died, and two others are missing following a series of destructive waves that hit Australia's east coast, especially along Sydney, during the Easter holiday weekend. A low-pressure system unleashed powerful surf, with some waves soaring over 24 feet, raising alarms across the region.
Authorities had issued a hazardous surf warning stretching from Queensland to New South Wales, with particular caution for activities like rock fishing. Tragically, by the end of the weekend, five individuals lost their lives in New South Wales while one died in Victoria. The victims were primarily men who were either fishing or walking on rocky shores.
One incident involved a man who was fishing in Wattamolla, south of Sydney, who was swept into the ocean on Sunday. A 14-year-old boy accompanying him was rescued and reported to be in stable condition. Search efforts are still ongoing for a man who disappeared at Little Bay Beach in Sydney after being caught in the waves.
In Victoria, a woman was also tragically swept off rocks in San Remo, with one man still unaccounted for in that incident. According to Royal Life Saving Australia, drownings are a serious concern, with 128 recorded in New South Wales in 2024 alone, half of which occurred along coastlines.
