The body of an Indian man who went missing while swimming at a popular swimming spot near Sydney has been found following a search operation.
The 20-year-old went missing while swimming with his friends in Wattamolla lagoon in Royal National Park Tuesday afternoon.
His friends were unsure whether he had wandered off or slipped under the water and called the police at around 6:15 pm. The police said it was initially not clear whether he went missing in the water or on land.
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and NSW Police launched an air, sea and land search with the Police Dog Squad also joining in.
Due to low-light conditions, the helicopter was called off but police continued to search the area.
The NSW Police confirmed that police divers located the body at about 1:30 am a short distance from where he was last seen.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
This is the second drowning death at the same spot since November last year when a 20-year-old man drowned in the same waters and two others were hospitalised.
The incident has sparked renewed water safety warnings.
Surf Life Saving CEO Steve Pearce said people should swim at patrolled locations only.
"We're unsure of the background [of the incident] at the moment, but what it does really reinforce is the dangers of swimming at an un-patrolled location," he told .
"The Watamolla area is an extremely dangerous place to swim, that lagoon has claimed countless lives already.
"We're asking people, please, if you're going swimming to escape this humidity and this heat, please find a patrolled location where there's lifeguards and lifesavers on duty."
Migrants more at risk of drowning
Over half a dozen Indian migrants have drowned in Australian waters this summer, including a father-son duo who drowned at a surf beach on Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne on the Christmas Eve and three Indian nationals near Coffs Harbour in NSW just days before that.
The National Drownings Report shows one in four people drowning in Australian waters over the past decade were born outside of Australia with international students and recent arrivals and tourists accounting for a large number of drownings.
Royal Life Saving Australia runs water-safety programmes around the country specifically targeting migrants and international students.
The programmes focus on providing swimming lessons, water-safety instructions and knowledge of appropriate beach behaviour.
In NSW, in order to raise awareness and to equip migrants with the swimming skills, the State Government is providing a special swimming program.
Royal Life Saving has been funded to deliver adult 'learn to swim' programs for refugees and migrants across a number of communities mostly in Western Sydney.
10 important tips to stay safe in the water
Here’s how you can keep yourself safe in water at beaches:
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags
- Look and take notice of the signs at the beach
- Ask a lifeguard or lifesaver for safety advice
- Learn how to identify a
- Swim with a friend - never swim or surf alone and children should always be supervised by adults.
- If you need help, stay calm and attract attention by raising your arm above your head
- Never enter the water if you have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs
- Wear sunscreen, seek shade and stay hydrated
- Boat skippers and rock fishers should check the local forecast and always wear a lifejacket
If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero (000) – Police
For information on Beach conditions or to find a patrolled beach near you, check out the or download the .
