Three Indian youths, including a woman from Punjab’s Phagwara, drowned at Victoria’s Philip Island near Australia’s Melbourne. Local reports quoted an official as saying that the four were swimming at an unpatrolled location near Forrest Caves.
“Heart breaking tragedy in Australia: 4 Indians lost their lives in a drowning incident at Phillip Island, Victoria. Deepest condolences to families of the victims. @cgimelbourne team is in touch with friends of the deceased for all necessary assistance,” the Indian high commission in Australia posted on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Punjab News Express, the deceased woman has been identified as one Reema, who is said to be the daughter-in-law of Phagwara industrialist Om Sondhi.
The report quoted former councillor Vijay Sondhi, elder brother of Om, as saying that they are shocked and aggrieved ever since they’ve been informed about Reema’s death.
He was further quoted as saying that along with Reema, her husband Sanjeev and his brothers went to Australia for a vacation. Reema’s sister Suhani (22) and a brother, both residents of Solan in Himachal Pradesh, also drowned in the mishap. Sanjeev was however rescued by the local police.
The report stated that emergency services responded to reports of four people struggling in the water at Newhaven Beach around 3:30pm (Australian time) on Wednesday. Police said that three women and a man were pulled from the water unresponsive.
The report quoted police as saying that it seemed to be a group of about 10 people. Victoria Phillip Island tourism body said the caves, where the incident happened, were formed by erosion of the cliffs and are only accessible at low tides.
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