Melbourne, Jan 26 – The Indian community in Australia is in mourning following the tragic death of four compatriots, including three women, who drowned at an unpatrolled beach in Phillip Island. The victims, identified as Jagjeet Singh Anand, Suhani Anand, Kirti Bedi, and Reema Sondhi, were part of a group enjoying a day out at Phillip Island when the incident occurred.
Anand, a 23-year-old male nurse, along with nursing students Suhani Anand and Kirti Bedi, both 20, and 43-year-old Reema Sondhi lost their lives in the tragic incident on Wednesday. Sondhi had been visiting her family in Australia and had arrived two weeks before the incident.
The Indian community in Melbourne is devastated by the loss and struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Ravinder Singh, a close friend of the victims’ family, is organizing a fundraiser to help raise awareness about the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled beaches.
We have no words to express our sadness. They were kind-hearted and down-to-earth members of Melbourne’s Indian community. This loss can never be filled. It is the darkest day of my life, Singh said.
In addition to the fundraising efforts, friends have started a GoFundMe campaign to support the victims’ families and fulfill their wishes. The campaign aims to provide assistance with transporting the remains back to India or supporting the cremation ceremony in Australia.
The Indian high commission in Australia expressed its condolences and confirmed that the consulate general in Melbourne is providing support to the affected families and friends.
The tragedy has raised concerns about beach safety, prompting calls to educate the community about the dangers of rip currents. Authorities are also reviewing warning signs and safety measures at the beach in question.
According to Victoria Police Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Karen Nyholm, the victims entered the water near Forrest Caves on the Bass Strait side of the peninsula. Off-duty lifeguards nearby attempted to rescue them but were only able to save one person, who later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
This incident marks the worst drowning incident in Victoria in almost two decades. Life Saving Victoria commander Kane Treloar emphasized the importance of swimming at patrolled beaches and warned against swimming at remote locations.
Our beautiful coastal regions can be dangerous, and it is crucial to swim at patrolled beaches. We urge everyone to stay safe this summer, Treloar said.
As the Indian community in Australia mourns the loss of these four lives, efforts are being made to raise awareness about beach safety to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The focus now is on supporting the affected families and ensuring that such incidents are avoided through education and precautions.
(Note: This news article has been generated based on the provided details, without any external knowledge or expertise. It aims to provide a factual account of the incident and may not include additional context or updates that may have emerged after the given information.)
