The bodies of two Japanese teenagers have been found in Lake McKenzie on Queensland's Fraser Island after the boys were reported missing from a school tour.
Questions are now being asked about how the boys, both aged 16, drowned at the popular tourist destination, described as "a calm lake in the middle of an island" by the local mayor.
The pair were discovered in the water at 8.20am on Saturday after they were reported missing about 5pm on Friday.
"This is a tragic event, there is not doubt about that," Inspector Tony Clowes told reporters on Saturday.
He warned there was always a risk when entering waterways, and said he did not know if the boys could swim.
"Know your abilities, be aware that if you are entering water there is some inherent risk entering waterways in this country," he said.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour told the ABC the deaths had shocked the community.
"Lake McKenzie is the postcard-perfect image of Fraser Island - it's where all the tourists go," Mr Seymour said.
"It's really unimaginable how somebody, let alone two people, could drown there.
"It's a calm lake in the middle of an island ... whatever has happened is highly unusual."
The owners of Kingfisher Bay Resort, where the boys had been staying, issued a statement offering their condolences.
"Our thoughts and deep condolences go out to their family and friends and the group they were travelling with," SeaLink CEO Jeff Ellison said.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic event."
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner and are currently in contact with the Japanese consulate.
Inspector Clowes said the details surrounding how the children were supervised would be investigated.
It was understood the teens had not been left behind at the lake and their group reported them missing from an area nearby.
The boys were not with their families on the tour, he said.
