Two American tourists have drowned at a beach in the Bahamas after powerful waves swept them out to sea.
The 38-year-old man and 40-year-old woman were swimming with a large group off Bimini on Friday afternoon when they were caught in the rough water, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
A nearby ferry rescued several swimmers, but the two tourists were already unresponsive by the time the vessel reached them, police said.
The pair were brought out of the water and given CPR before being transported to a local health clinic.
Medical staff continued efforts to revive them, but an attending physician pronounced both tourists dead shortly before 4pm, officials said.
Police said the group had been swimming in an area marked by signs warning of strong currents.
An autopsy will be carried out to establish the exact cause of death. Police said they do not suspect foul play.
The investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy is continuing.
Two American tourists — a 38-year-old man and 40-year-old woman — drowned at the southern point of North Bimini, near the entrance to Bimini Harbour, on Friday, police said. Footage obtained by Eyewitness News Bahamas shows first responders at the scene
The deaths mark the second fatal drowning incident on the idyllic island of Bimini (pictured) within a matter of weeks
Video obtained by Eyewitness News Bahamas shows first responders at the southern point of North Bimini, near the entrance to Bimini Harbour, on Friday.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force received the first 911 call reporting the possible drowning at about 3pm on Friday.
Footage from the area showed rough seas and strong currents at the time.
The incident was the second fatal drowning reported on Bimini in just a few weeks.
British mother Leanne Gregory, 36, died on October 20 during a snorkeling trip in the south of the island with her husband and sons after they were swept away by a current.
Local reports said she entered the water in an attempt to rescue them.
Police said they were notified shortly after 10am that Gregory had been found unresponsive at the ferry dock in Bimini.
She had already been taken for medical treatment by the time officers arrived. Doctors at the clinic later pronounced her dead.
The two drowning victims had been swimming with a large group off Bimini on Friday afternoon. Police said they were in an area where signs warned swimmers about strong currents
Leanne Gregory, of the UK, died on October 20 during a snorkeling trip in the south of the island with her husband, Nathan, pictured together, and their sons. Investigators said the family had been swept away by a current
Emergency responders rescued her sons from the water, while her husband, Nathan Gregory, 36, tried to resuscitate her. His efforts were unsuccessful.
According to Eyewitness News Bahamas, the deaths have prompted growing concern among residents of Bimini.
Local people have questioned water-safety arrangements, particularly in areas they believe should be closed to swimmers.
Residents have also raised concerns about an alleged lack of security staff and insufficient supervision in the water.
They are urging officials to strengthen safety measures, improve oversight and introduce safeguards to protect both residents and tourists from preventable hazards.