Teen swept out to sea at Granite Island, South Australia

On a Sunday afternoon, 17-year-old Mehdi Habibi was walking on the rocks at Granite Island, near Victor Harbour in South Australia, when he was swept into the ocean by a large wave. His brother, Sahil, captured the moment on his phone just before the incident occurred. The family, originally from Afghanistan and recently reunited with their father in Australia after arriving from Pakistan, is devastated by the event. Friends and family gathered at the beach, expressing their concern and heartbreak over Mehdi's disappearance. Emergency services were promptly notified, and a search and rescue operation was initiated. However, the efforts have been hampered by dangerous weather conditions and choppy waves, making it challenging for responders to conduct thorough searches. South Australia Police, along with SES volunteers, have been actively searching the area on foot, while marine rescue teams remain on standby. The local community has been deeply affected by the incident, with Mehdi's mother and relatives expressing their distress and worry. Abdullah Fakhri, a close family friend, described Mehdi as a caring individual who was always willing to help his father. The ongoing search efforts have drawn attention to the risks associated with the area's natural conditions, particularly during adverse weather. Granite Island, a popular destination for locals and tourists, has been closed to visitors as the search continues. The region has been experiencing severe weather due to a strong cold front affecting southern Australia, which has also impacted nearby areas with damaging winds and dangerous surf conditions.