A teenage boy is missing off a beach in Victoria's southeast, prompting a large-scale search operation. The incident occurred at Number Four beach in Venus Bay, South Gippsland, where the boy was swimming in rough surf conditions. Emergency services were alerted to his disappearance around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, and a search effort involving police, water police, coast guard, and members of the public has been launched. The Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club was hosting championships at the time, and several competitors joined the search effort. The beach is known for its challenging conditions, with strong winds and rough seas, making it one of the roughest beaches in Victoria. The search is ongoing, and police are investigating whether the boy was swept out to sea or if he was in the sand and surrounding area. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of swimming in unpatrolled areas, and Life Saving Victoria encourages people to swim between red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
