Two rescuers among three killed in rough seas off Australia

May 05, 2026 / 1:02 PM

Sharjah24 - AFP: Two lifeboat crew members died while responding to a distressed yacht off eastern Australia after their vessel capsized in severe sea conditions, police said on Tuesday.

Incident details

A team of six rescuers rushed on Monday evening to assist a yacht in distress near a breakwater off Ballina, located about eight hours north of Sydney. Their lifeboat overturned in extremely dangerous conditions, with waves reaching 2.5 metres.

Casualties confirmed

Two volunteer crew members, aged 62 and 78, lost their lives. Authorities also recovered the body of a third man, believed to be in his mid-50s, from the nearby shore. His identity has not yet been confirmed.

Rescue challenges

According to New South Wales police, some crew members were trapped inside the vessel’s hull while others were thrown into the water during the incident.

Yacht destruction

The distressed yacht struck the breakwater and broke apart, further complicating the rescue efforts.

Investigation underway

Police have launched an investigation into the accident.

Todd Andrews described the tragedy as one of the darkest nights in the organisation’s history, noting that the victims lost their lives while serving their community and attempting to save others