New South Wales Sees Spike in Coastal Drownings This Summer, Warning for Australia Day

Surf rescue workers instruct swimmers to move away from the northern end of the beach at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on January 16, 2022. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The New South Wales (NSW) Government is urging beachgoers to be responsible for their own safety ahead of the Australia Day holiday (Jan.26) after an increase in coastal drownings so far this summer.

According to a media release on Saturday, since Dec.1, 15 coastal deaths and drownings have occurred, which is two up from the same time last year.