When An Australian PM Disappeared While Swimming

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30 April 2024

On December 17, 1967, Harold Holt, the 17th prime minister of Australia, disappeared while swimming in the sea near Victoria


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An enormous search operation was mounted in and around Cheviot Beach, but his body was never recovered


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He was presumed drowned and a memorial service was held in his honour, attended by several world leaders 


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Under the law, without a body, there could be no official inquest into Mr Holt's disappearance


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Many bizarre conspiracy theories surfaced, most famously the suggestion he had been a spy for the Chinese and was picked up by one of their submarines


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Others said he faked his death, died by suicide, was killed in a botched kidnapping, or even that he had been assassinated by the CIA


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Despite an extensive report made by the Commonwealth and Victoria Police, many refused to believe that a reputed swimmer like him had accidentally drowned


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Mr Holt was the third Australian prime minister to die in office, after Joseph Lyons in 1939 and John Curtin in 1945


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He became the 17th prime minister of Australia in January 1966, following the retirement of Sir Robert Menzies


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After his disappearance, John McEwen served as prime minister in a caretaker capacity


Image: National Museum of Australia

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 ndtv.com