Tributes for drowning victims Jagjeet Singh, Kirti Bedi, Suhani Anand and Reema Sondhi

Tragic new details about the drowning of four family members at Phillip Island have been revealed, with a couple holding hands until they were knocked over and then separated by a rouge wave.

Sanjeev Sondhi was holding his wife’s hand as they waded through the water at Phillip Island before a rogue wave crashed and knocked the group of tourists off their feet.

The extended family of nine were making their way back to the sand, many holding hands in the water to keep each other upright.

Mr Sondhi was swept toward the sand, but his wife Reema was pulled out further — and into a deadly rip.

Her nieces Suhani Anand and Kirti Bedi, both 20, and 23-year-old nephew Jagjeet Singh, all perished with the 43-year-old, leaving the Indian family and community reeling.

Wednesday’s tragedy quickly became one of the state’s worst drowning incidents in almost two decades.

Tributes have continued to flow for the group as the grieving family begins the unimaginable task of organising visas for relatives to fly to Melbourne for their funerals.

Ms Sondhi’s young daughter, who is studying in Canada, and her son, who is in India, will have to fly to Australia to farewell their mother.

Heartbreakingly, just minutes before his death, aged care nurse Jagjeet Singh had built a huge sandcastle on the beach, declaring it would resemble the mansion he would one day live in.

Reema Sondhi, 43, has been identified as one of the Phillip Island drowning victims.

A close friend of the family told the Herald Sun most of the group knew how to swim but the huge wave — and vicious rip — proved too strong.

Family friend Sahil Sharma, whose fundraiser had raised more than $30,000 by Friday afternoon, said the family needed as much support as they could get.

“They were just tourists travelling during the holidays, nobody expects this on their holidays,” he said.

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

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

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

Another family friend, Manu Juneja, visited Mr Sondhi – his friend of almost 20 years – on Friday, as he helps his mate recover and grieve the loss of his wife.

He said Mr and Mrs Sondhi had flights and accommodation booked for a holiday to Adelaide next week as they looked forward to exploring more of the country.

“He was very dehydrated after, I’m looking after him and making sure he drinks the water he needs,” he said.

“I attended their wedding years ago, they are a good family.

“(Ms Sondhi) was very humble, always helping, a loving person and a good mother.”

Melbourne student, Suhani Anand, 20, was one of four people who died after drowning at Forrest Caves Beach, near Phillip Island on January 24, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Aged care nurse, Jagjeet Singh, 23, also died after drowning at Forrest Caves Beach. Picture: Supplied

Mr Sharma said the Island was a popular tourist spot for the family, who loved visiting every chance they could.

Mr Singh, 23, has been remembered as a “dedicated worker” who loved his job in nursing and was like a “little brother” to those who knew him.

“He would work day and night helping others, he loved it,” Mr Sharma added.

“He was so dedicated to his work, especially in the regional areas, he used to work on Phillip Island and he’s worked in different aged care centres.

“He was a little brother to all of us.”

Reema Sondhi (left) has been identified as one of the drowning victims.

Mr Sharma said grieving family and friends were extremely thankful for the support received since the tragic news.

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

“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.”

Mr Singh, a permanent resident, was a Melbourne nurse, while Ms Bedi and Ms Anand were here on student visas.

The trio lived at Clyde in Melbourne’s southeast.

Ms Sondhi was believed to have been on holiday with family from India.

Photos uploaded to social media in the days before the tragedy show her posing on Victorian beaches alongside loved ones, including her husband, Sanjeev.

Reema Sondhi’s husband Sanjeev (right) survived after being rescued by emergency services.

Two off-duty lifesavers tried desperately to save the four relatives who were wading at the unpatrolled Forrest Caves Beach about 3.30pm on Wednesday, before emergency services received a flurry of desperate calls.

Other lifesavers from nearby Woolamai beaches rushed to the scene, along with others on jet skis and in two helicopters.

Three were pronounced dead at the scene, while a 20-year-old woman was flown to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition but died on Thursday morning.

The tragedy comes as it was revealed one of two helicopters used by volunteer lifesavers is set to be grounded from Saturday following state government funding cuts.

Loved ones comfort each other as the bodies of drowning victims are taken from the scene. Picture: Jack Colantuono

The victims were part of a group of about 10 who had been enjoying the day at the beach in the Newhaven area.

The High Commission of India, in Canberra, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday afternoon, saying: “Heartbreaking tragedy in Australia: 4 Indians lost their lives in a drowning incident at Phillip Island, Victoria.

“Deepest condolences to families of the victims.”

Preparations are being made for family members of the victims, in India, to come to Australia to say their goodbyes and bury their loved ones.

Life Saving Victoria operations general manager Liam Krige said the area was a “prime spot known for surfing”.

“There’s good surf, good waves,” he said.

“But that also means there’s a heightened risk of rips.”

Mr Krige praised the lifesavers who jumped into action, saying they were being offered counselling.

“Anyone who is willing to get into that situation is absolutely remarkable,” he said, noting patrolled beaches were the safest places to swim.

Life Saving Victoria’s Liam Krige says Forrest Caves Beach is a ‘prime spot known for surfing’ but has heightened risk of rips. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Lifesaving Victoria has stations at 67 beaches across Victoria.

Mr Krige said the organisation would “always look at more locations” but that decisions around which beaches would be patrolled ultimately fell to landowners and councils.

Life Saving Victoria director Kane Treloar said Forrest Caves Beach was “not for swimming”, saying the area was notorious for significant and dangerous rips.

As well, the nearest patrolled beaches were about 4km away.

“It’s been almost 20 years since we’ve seen a single event that’s resulted in such a high loss of life in Victorian waters,” he said, referring to an incident in Stingray Bay, in the state’s southwest, where five family members were caught by a wave and drowned in 2005.

“Our thoughts do go out to all those people involved.”