World News – AU – Missing remains of a teenage swimmer found on Perth Beach

The remains of 16-year-old Matiyas Bekuretsion, who was washed up at sea at Scarborough Beach in Perth on Monday evening, have been found.

On Friday, police confirmed that a member of the public made the discovery on Wednesday morning at Trigg Beach, north of Scarborough.

A subsequent police investigation confirmed the remains were of a teenage boy who was in the water with three friends around 8:00 p.m. Monday when they got into trouble.

« They were near the coast, whether it was a rift that drew them out or was hit by a wave is currently unknown to us, » Cindy Morgan, acting inspector for WA Police, said Tuesday.

The search was hampered by strong winds and turned to a recovery mission Tuesday afternoon before it was finally canceled on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, police said the teen’s mother – his closest relative – was in Ethiopia.

Earlier this week, police thanked the community for teaming up to find the missing boy.

Locals who participated in the search said they were scattered along the coast with torches and searchlights for several hours Monday night.

Former surf lifesaver and local surfer Michael Prosser said the area where the boy went missing is prone to cracking.

« You don’t even have to be in deep water and can be pulled into a gully by a bench. If you don’t know what to do, you need help, « Prosser said Tuesday.

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AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time, 10 hours before GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Perth, Scarborough Beach, Trigg