Section of Australian beach collapses into sea

A huge section of shoreline at Inskip Point in Queensland, Australia, suddenly collapsed into the sea after severe erosion weakened the sandy coastline, authorities said on Monday.

The landslip, which was estimated to be up to 300 metres wide, occurred at the popular sand peninsula about 250 km north of Brisbane. Authorities were still determining whether the collapse happened on Sunday or Monday.

Queensland's Department of Environment and Science said the incident was likely caused by tidal flows, waves and ocean currents gradually undermining the shoreline.

The sudden collapse has raised fresh concerns about the stability of the peninsula, which has experienced similar incidents in the past. In 2015, a much smaller but significant landslip measuring around 200 metres across swallowed part of a campground and prompted the evacuation of about 140 people.

Following that incident, Queensland authorities conducted a review of the peninsula's stability and established exclusion zones around areas considered vulnerable to erosion. Another smaller landslip occurred in the area in 2016.

Helicopter pilot Glen Cruickshank noticed the latest change while flying over Inskip Point on Monday. He described the newly collapsed section as significantly larger than the previous incidents.

“It is far bigger than the last two — it's a right big chunk that's just been sucked down,” he told the BBC.

The phenomenon is linked to the highly dynamic nature of sandy coastlines. At locations such as Inskip Point, tides and waves can continually move large quantities of sand beneath and along the shoreline. When enough material is displaced, sections of the beach can suddenly become unstable and collapse.

The latest landslip also highlights the risks associated with rapidly changing coastal landscapes. Authorities had previously restricted access to vulnerable parts of the peninsula, and the newly affected area was expected to be assessed before restrictions were reviewed.

Inskip Point is a popular recreational area and an important access point for visitors travelling toward the nearby Fraser Island region, making monitoring of the shoreline particularly important for public safety.