In a heartbreaking incident, two Indian students from Andhra Pradesh, Chaitanya Mupparaju and Surya Teja Bobba have lost their lives at the Millaa Millaa Falls in Queensland on Tuesday. The two males, aged in their mid-twenties, drowned while swimming in the waterfall’s pool, a popular tourist destination known for its treacherous currents. A third male who attempted to rescue the pair was also hospitalised.
On Tuesday (16 July) morning, rescue helicopters and ambulances were sent to the area to locate the missing men, but the search ended after bodies were recovered from the water the same day. Queensland Police revealed that Mupparaju and Bobba failed to re-surface, after it appeared one was struggling in the water, while the other jumped in to help.
Both young men were pursuing higher education at James Cook University in Queensland, with Mupparaju studying Information Technology and Bobba specialising in Mechanical Engineering. Their sudden demise has left their families and friends in profound grief and the local Indian community and fellow students deeply affected.
In the wake of the Queensland drownings, Surya Mangalpati, a close friend of the victims, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the families of Mupparaju and Bobba in covering funeral expenses. The page was set up on Wednesday (17 July) and has already received more than $99,000 in donations, with messages of support flowing in from friends, family and strangers.
Mangapati writes this incident has “left their families and loved ones shattered beyond words. Their untimely departure has left a void that can never be filled.” Preparations are currently underway to inform family members and organise their funerals.
Hi all , I am devastated to announce that my beautiful Brother passed away yesterday , We have had a go fund me page set up to give him the send off he deserves. Any retweets / donations are much Greatful Thankyou 🙏🏼💔https://t.co/sNAPjiqqWu
— Utd_AC (@unitedforNTR) July 16, 2024
Following the incident, local authorities have reiterated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines when visiting natural attractions. Inspector for the Tablelands patrol, Jason Smith, stressed in his statement travellers should, “have vigilance and take care and only go into areas where they know they have the capability to swim and capability to swim safely.”
Culture a factor in water safety
Drownings are a reality known all too well in the Indian-Australian community with this being the fifth incident this year of Indians drowning. A study by UNSW Beach Safety Research Group in 2022 revealed “people from India make up the largest number of drowning deaths among migrants at Australian beaches.”
Australia’s high drowning rates are mainly due to intense currents which people are unaware of how to escape. As pretty as they are, Aussie beaches boast unfamiliar conditions compared to those around the world and are hence quite dangerous. South Asians, particularly, face a higher risk because of limited swimming experience and cultural barriers such as lack of understanding and unawareness of water safety.
Dharma Down Under, a youth-led initiative founded by 19-year-old Rajas Satija, is determined to prevent more such deaths. Recognising the alarming statistics of South Asian water-related deaths, Satija, a second-generation Indian-Australian and swimming instructor, feels compelled to take action.
“Living in a country where the ocean is so deeply ingrained in our lives, I felt a responsibility to help families not just learn water safety but also embrace the water confidently, he says.
Dharma Down Under’s approach is innovative in the sense that they target cultural gatherings to create a familiar and comfortable space for families to learn about water safety. This approach not only bridges the gap where traditional swim clubs might struggle to connect but also provides a face of familiarity for participants to connect with.
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Their partnerships with organisations like the Mordialloc Life Saving Club help raise awareness about the severity of drowning risks within the South Asian community through educating and training the at risk demographic.
The untimely Queensland drownings serve as a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance around water. As the community mourns, efforts to raise funds and awareness continue, ensuring that their memories are honoured and that similar tragedies are prevented in the future.
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