Man dead in suspected drowning at Port Melbourne beach

Another life has been lost in Victorian waters after a man was pulled unresponsive from the ocean at Port Melbourne beach.

A man has died after being pulled unconscious from the waters of a popular Melbourne beach, less than 24 hours after a double-drowning in the state’s east.

Emergency responded to reports of an unresponsive man at Port Melbourne beach, just west of the city, about 12.30pm on Thursday.

Tragically, the man – yet to be formally identified – died at the scene.

It comes less than 24 hours after a 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman from Pascoe Vale South were pulled from the water at Bastion Point, Mallacoota and died at the scene.

Should the latest tragedy at Port Melbourne be deemed a drowning it would mean 21 people have died in reported drownings this summer, according to Life Saving Victoria.

BeachSafe confirmed the popular swimming spot was not patrolled on Thursday, though lifesavers regularly man the beach on both Saturday and Sunday.

It’s been a relatively flat day on the water with waves recorded to be less than half a metre.

The tragedy comes as the state swelters through heatwave-like conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 36C in the city while Mildura topped out at 41C.

A total fire ban has been imposed for the state’s central and north central areas across Friday.

The man’s death was not being treated as suspicious.