In a tragic incident, two persons from Telangana drowned while one is missing after they went swimming in Australia’s Moonee beach on Monday, according to reports.
The victims were identified as Mohammed Ghousuddin and Syed Rahath. While Mohammed Abdul Junaid is still missing. Both Ghousuddin and Junaid are relatives, hailing from Nalgonda district, while Rahath is a resident of Hyderabad.
According to reports, Ghousuddin was working as software engineer in Australia and Junaid was pursuing Masters in Pharmacy.
As per ABC news, at 6.15 pm, a group of 6 people were struggling in the surf while swimming at Moonee beach which is unpatrolled by lifeguards.
While the authorities could rescue three children aged 13, 15 and 17 and took them to Coffs Harbour hospital and save them, they couldn't revive Mohammed Ghouse and Mohammed Riaz.
The authorities believe that the group must have been swept away by a strong current.
“I can only assume they’ve gone swimming in the creek, perhaps the three teenagers went in first and got into trouble and then the three adults have gone in after them. Unfortunately it’s ended in a horrific result,” Greg Hackfath, Coffs Harbour Lifeguard Team Leader, told 9 news.
A witness Michelle Collard quoted by ABC news said that Ghouse and Riaz were not in good condition when they were pulled out from the water.
Speaking to ABC news, Coffs Coast Lifeguard Greg Hackfath, who was assisting the rescue operation, said, "The amount of water that was coming out of Moonee Creek was pretty substantial."
"I don't know how much rain they had up this way, but the creek was certainly brown and [had] a lot of floodwaters coming out of it."
Though the authorities were carrying out the search on Monday, they had to suspend it later as the light faded.
Appealing for the Indian Embassy to provide the required assistance to the bereaved families, Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan tagged both External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao in his tweet.
.@SushmaSwaraj Three persons from Telangana State Mohd Abdul Junaid, Mohd Ghouse & Mohd Rahat died due to drowning in Brisbane, Australia while they were partying along with families. Please alert @AusHCIndia & @HCICanberra for providing necessary help.@TelanganaCMO @KTRTRS
— Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) December 18, 2018