Four Indians die in mass drowning at Australia's Philip Island

Digital Desk: According to a statement released on Thursday by the Indian High Commission in Canberra, four Indians lost their lives after drowning in Australia's Victoria's Philip Island beach.

"Heartbreaking tragedy in Australia: 4 Indians lost their lives in a drowning incident at Phillip Island, Victoria," said the statement on X.

The Commission added that the victims' friends are in contact with the Indian Consulate General's team in Melbourne for "any necessary assistance."

"Deepest condolences to families of victims," the statement read.

Three women and one man were reported to be "in difficulty in the water" at about 3:30 pm (local time) on January 25, according to an official statement from the Victoria Police. Four people were taken from the water, two of them were pronounced dead at the scene along with the guy; the other woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition. At the hospital, she passed away from her injuries.

According to the Victoria Police, the victims' deaths "are not being treated as suspicious" and they will be properly identified.

"Police will prepare a report for the coroner," the police statement further mentioned.

The man was 40 years old, and two of the three female victims were in their 20s, according to The Guardian. It stated that first responders pulled the four from the water and performed CPR on each of them; nevertheless, three of them passed away on the spot.

The four victims were swimming at the "unpatrolled" Philip Island beach when the event happened, close to Forrest Caves on the southwest shore of the island.

The fourth deceased was transported to Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

According to a witness who spoke with Australia's 7News, the victims' relatives and friends were visibly distraught when they arrived at the site. According to reports, they were "crying and comforting each other."