Millaa Millaa Falls, Cairns: Urgent search launched after two swimmers failed to resurface at popular waterfall

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 friend, also a man, was rushed to hospital.

The men 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.

‘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 one of the most iconic waterfalls in the Far North.

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.