Man, 66, drowns at Broadbeach on Gold Coast

Surf lifesavers have closed sections of a popular Gold Coast beach after a tourist in his 60s drowned while snorkelling.

A 66-year-old Hungarian tourist has drowned on the Gold Coast after disappearing while snorkelling.

Lifeguards launched a search for the man after his wife raised the alarm when he went out of sight in the water off Mermaid Beach.

Chief Lifeguard Chris Maynard said he was pulled in from the water 600 metres away at Broadbeach at about 1.30pm.

Lifeguards immediately began CPR on the man until Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics arrived on scene to take over.

Emergency services on the beach in Broadbeach after a Hungarian tourist was pulled from the water. Picture: Nine News.

“On our arrival the lifeguards were performing CPR on the gentleman and had done some extensive efforts prior to our arrival,” QAS paramedic Hayden Piercy told Nine News.

“Despite our best efforts at resuscitation unfortunately the 66-year-old gentleman was declared deceased on scene.”

Warning signs have been placed across the entire section of the Broadbeach beach where the man reportedly drowned. Picture: Mohammad Alfares

It’s understood the beach was closed after the drowning incident with warning signs placed across the entire section of the beach.

An on-duty lifeguard said conditions on Thursday were unstable and urged beachgoers to avoid getting in the water when it’s rough.

Despite warning signs being strewn across the beach, a few people were spotted swimming in the water regardless.