In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a major search and rescue operation ended in tragedy at a popular waterfall in Far North Queensland.
Two young men, Chaitanya Mupparaju and Surya Teja Bobba, both international students from India, tragically lost their lives at Millaa Millaa Falls in the Cairns Tablelands.
Emergency services, including a rescue helicopter and ambulance crews, were dispatched to the scene around 8:50 am on Tuesday after reports emerged that the two men had disappeared beneath the water’s surface.
Queensland Police later confirmed that the two men, along with a third companion, had been visiting the renowned swimming spot when the incident occurred.
According to Inspector Jason Smith, one of the men began to struggle shortly after entering the water from the shore. In an effort to assist, his friend entered the water to help, but tragically, neither resurfaced. Their bodies were located around midday.
The devastating news has left the families and loved ones of Chaitanya Mupparaju and Surya Teja Bobba shattered.
In this time of profound grief, the Indian-Australian community is rallying to support their families. A fundraising campaign has been initiated to help alleviate the financial burden of funeral expenses and provide some relief during this unimaginably difficult period.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these promising young students,” a spokesperson for the campaign said.
“Please join us in honouring the memories of Chaitanya and Surya by contributing what you can and sharing this campaign with others who may wish to help. Even the smallest gesture will make a difference in providing comfort and support to their grieving families.”
Water safety experts and police have once again emphasized the importance of caution when entering any body of water, urging people to always be aware of their surroundings.
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