Women washed by rocks identified

Two women who died after being hit by a “freak wave” and swept into the sea at a popular Sydney beach have been named.

Sydney's Malayalee community paid tribute to Nirsha Haris, 38, and Marwa Hashim, 35, on Tuesday afternoon following the tragedy at Cape Solander in Kurnell, in Sydney's south.

“The Sydney Malayalee community is saddened by the horrific and sudden deaths of two of our members, Marwa Hashim and Nirsha Haris,” the community group wrote on social media.

“The Sydney Malayalee Association extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. »

Ms Haris and Ms Hashim died after being swept away by rocks on the beach while they were picnicking with friends.

Emergency services attended Cape Solander at around 4.30pm on Monday after receiving reports that three women had gone missing at the edge of the rock face into the ocean.

The three women were reportedly walking along the rocky platform when a “freak wave” hit them and swept them into the sea.

NSW Police said a woman managed to get out of the water and climb onto rocks before being helped by members of the public.

A massive search operation has been launched to find Ms Haris and Ms Hashim.

A passerby told NewsWire that people were watching for the whales when parks and wildlife rangers asked observers with binoculars to watch out for the women.

Three rescue helicopters were understood to have been searching for the pair before NSW ambulances arrived.

New South Wales Police said the women were eventually located with the help of PolAir helicopters and pulled from the water unconscious.

They were taken to shore where emergency crews performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but they could not be revived.

The woman who survived the crash is said to have suffered minor injuries. She was treated for hypothermia at St George's Hospital.

Those present who participated in the rescue also had to be treated by paramedics on site for hypothermia.

Police established a crime scene and began investigating the incident.

New South Wales Police Superintendent Joe McNulty, speaking to Nine's Today programme, advised beachgoers to always be careful of the sea when walking on the rocks.

“Never turn your back on the sea, whatever activity you are doing,” he said.

“That’s the golden rule. Don’t turn your back on the ocean.”

No suspicious circumstances have been identified at this stage, NSW Police said.

The rock face is popular with rock fishermen, with two men killed after being swept away by the waters a few weeks ago in the same area.

Their bodies were pulled from the water shortly after and they could not be revived.