The summer drowning situation in Australia is dire, with fatalities expected to exceed 100 by the end of February, representing a 24 percent increase compared to last year. One particularly harrowing incident at Forrest Caves Beach resulted in four lives lost, marking the deadliest drowning event in Victoria in twenty years. The unpatrolled beach is notorious for its hazardous swimming conditions, with strong rips and rough waves.
Before the victims were farewelled at a Hindi funeral service in Melbourne, their family’s friends raised nearly $82,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and facilitate travel for immediate family members from India. Royal Life Saving Australia’s (RLSA) report, released this summer, revealed a 5 percent increase in drowning deaths compared to the five-year average, with 72 deaths between Dec. 1, 2023, and Jan. 30, 2024.
There was also a high record of drowning incidents during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, with a total death count of 25, including nine on Boxing Day. Notably, the RLSA forecasted that if drowning deaths continued at their current rate, the number of fatal incidents could reach 107 by the end of the summer. New South Wales reported the highest number of drowning deaths at 24, followed by Victoria at 19, Queensland at 16, and Western Australia at 8.
RLSA chief executive Justin Scarr described the situation as “absolutely tragic” and attributed the rise in deaths to factors such as hot weather and significant flooding, as well as underlying issues with community swimming skills. He also noted the usage of remote, unpatrolled beaches for entertainment or other activities, emphasizing the lack of lifeguard support at such locations.
To promote water safety, the RLSA advised people to practice safety measures such as swimming in groups, supervising children, avoiding alcohol, and wearing lifejackets when boating or fishing.