Gold Coast beaches open after three drownings but swimmers are warned

There have been six near-drowning incidents on south-east Queensland beaches, five on the Gold Coast, in two weeks.

While red and yellow flags will return to Gold Coast beaches on Monday, conditions were still considered unstable for swimming, with a 1.5-metre swell causing strong currents close to shore.

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A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said lifeguards were advising swimmers to stay in waist-deep water closer to shore between the flags. Stronger southerly winds were forecast for Monday and Tuesday.

Lifesavers and lifeguards performed 29 rescues across the state’s beaches on Sunday, Surf Life Saving Queensland said.

Main Beach on North Stradbroke Island remained closed on Monday.

An extensive search had been launched for…