Severe surf conditions along the east coast of Australia have resulted in hazardous conditions that claimed the lives of five people during the Easter long weekend. In the state of New South Wales (NSW), four individuals drowned and one was reported missing after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam caused massive waves along the coastal area.
On Saturday, at approximately 8:15 am, two men were swept off rocks in Kianinny Bay near Tathra, with one remaining conscious while the other was pronounced deceased. According to Life Saving NSW manager Brent Manieri, both individuals were rock fishing at the time of the incident, but the presence of life jackets is unknown.
In Wollongong, a 58-year-old fisherman was swept off the break wall around 6 am on Friday, with emergency services unable to revive him. There were also reports of another man drowning after falling off rocks at Middle Head Point in Sydney Harbour and a third drowning at Green Cape on the state’s far south coast.
A search continued on Saturday for a swimmer who was seen struggling in the surge at Little Bay Beach in Sydney’s South just after 1 pm on Friday. Despite the swell peaking on Friday, a hazardous surf warning remained in place for the entire NSW coastline on Saturday.
Manieri urged swimmers to stay informed about conditions and swim at patrolled beaches to avoid such incidents. He emphasized that all drownings could have been prevented had people observed the dangerous conditions and stayed away from the NSW coastline.
On Good Friday, waves reached heights of 4.5-5.5 meters in some parts of the coast, with large swells persisting through Saturday afternoon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Helen Reid. She noted a significant wave size of 2.5-3 meters from Byron to Eden, including Sydney, with a powerful swell lasting for approximately 13.5 to 14 seconds.
In addition to the NSW incidents, a woman died and a man went missing in Victoria after a group was swept off rocks at a beach off Punch Bowl Road at San Remo. Only one of the women managed to return to shore, while the others could not. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan extended her condolences to the families affected and emphasized the importance of safety around all water bodies.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions and the need for vigilance when engaging in water activities.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/19/powerful-waves-continue-to-pummel-east-coast-as-easter-beach-death-toll-rises-to-five
