Communities in Australia and abroad rally around families of drowning victims

The loved ones of four people who died after being caught in a rip at an unpatrolled beach have released a touching tribute to the victims.

The deaths of four swimmers who lost their lives at a Phillip Island beach in Victoria will “leave a void for the families that can never be filled”.

That’s according to organisers of a GoFundMe page set up for the families of the victims on Thursday that has raised nearly $25,000 within 14 hours.

The lives of Jagjeet Singh, Kirti Bedi, Suhani Anand and Reema Sondhi were cut short when they became stuck in a rip at Forrest Caves Beach on Wednesday.

The donations will go towards helping the victims’ families transport their remains back to India or “supporting the cremation ceremony in Australia”, depending on what the family decides.

Aged care nurse Jagjeet Singh had a ‘heart of gold’. Picture: Supplied

Ankur Chhabra, Sahil Sharma and Ravinder Singh, who helped organise the fundraiser, said Ms Sondhi, a 42-year-old mother of two, travelled to Australia for a holiday to visit her brother’s family and will now “never return” to her children who remain in India.

Mr Singh, 23, was a registered nurse who “saved many lives throughout his career” and “had a heart of gold”, the joint tribute said.

Nursing students Ms Anand, 20, and Ms Bedi, 20, “had planned to stay home and focus on their studies, but life had other plans”.

The tribute called on the community to “come together” not only in mourning but in a “tide of compassion that lifts (the) families above the depths of despair”.

“Every contribution, however small, is a beacon of hope, a hand reaching out to steady those grappling with unimaginable loss,” the tribute said.

“Let us honour their memory with kindness, with a collective show of strength that reflects the vibrant lives they led. Together, we can help navigate the storm clouds of sorrow, ensuring that love, not loss, is their lasting legacy.

“Please, donate generously, and let us be a source of unwavering support in the face of this devastating tragedy.”

Melbourne student Suhani Anand wanted to focus on her studies. Picture: Supplied

Family friend Sahil Sharma told the Herald Sun the grieving families needed as much support as possible.

“This family always tried to support others in difficult times, we are so affected because we’ve seen them helping everyone else,” Mr Sharma said.

“It’s just shocking for the whole community, family and the neighbours.

“It’s hard to comprehend, I just can’t believe it.”

Mr Sharma said the tourist destination was a popular spot for the family, who visited Phillip Island every chance they could and thanked Australia for the outpouring of support following the tragedy.

“We’ve had so many calls and messages since, everyone is offering their support,” he said.

“There’s no choice, we have to stand with them, the best thing I’m feeling at the moment is that there’s a lot of emotional support.

“The local MP and Indian consulate have reached out and been great.

“It hasn’t just been the Indian community but the whole Australian community.

“It makes me proud to live in a community where everyone comes and helps.”

The incident is the state’s worst mass drowning in almost 20 years and takes Victoria’s drowning toll to 19 since December 1.

Originally published as Communities in Australia and abroad rally around families of drowning victims