Millaa Millaa Falls, Cairns: Urgent search launched after two swimmers failed to surface at popular waterfall
- Men are thought to be between 20 and 30 years old
- A rescue helicopter is on its way
An emergency search and rescue operation is underway after two swimmers failed to surface at the Millaa Millaa Falls, about 90km southwest of Cairns.
Three friends jumped into the water. When one of them didn’t come up, his friend went into the water to look for him.
The male friend was rushed to hospital, while the two men who are still missing are believed to be in their late twenties or early thirties.
Emergency services received a report of two missing persons at around 8:55 am.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said four crews were on scene assisting Queensland Fire Services.
A rescue helicopter is en route and police and Queensland Ambulance Service are on the scene.
“We have been tasked to assist in the search and rescue operation for two people who disappeared at the falls,” the spokeswoman said.
An emergency search and rescue operation is underway after two swimmers failed to surface at Millaa Millaa Falls, 90km southwest of Cairns
‘We have four units responding, one of which is a search and rescue helicopter.
‘A third man was taken to hospital.’
The Millaa Millaa Falls are a popular tourist attraction and are among the most iconic waterfalls in the Far North.
The Millaa Millaa Falls is a protected waterfall with a height of approximately 18.3 meters.
On 5 December 2005 it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register.
The falls are located next to the town of Millaa Millaa on the Atherton Tableland.
In March, a 20-year-old international student disappeared after jumping from a ledge into the water at Crystal Cascades, west of Cairns, and never resurfaced.
Emergency services launched a search and rescue operation and his body was recovered by divers the next day.
The tourist was probably swept downstream after swimming at the top of a series of waterfalls, an area that was designated as off-limits.
The Crystal Cascades waterfall is a popular swimming destination for both locals and tourists, but is also the site of countless drowning deaths.
In April 2023, a father and son, aged 59 and 21, were pronounced dead after being found unconscious in the water near the falls.
More to come.
A rescue helicopter is on its way and police and the Queensland Ambulance Service were called after two swimmers failed to surface at the Millaa Millaa Falls, south of Cairns
