Australian Chief Lifeguard Warren Young said on Monday a 16-year-old Chinese student was missing after being swept away in the surf on the Gold Coast.

"The lifeguard called them in and they returned to the beach straight away. There was some confusion at first because when the lifeguard asked the five who came into the beach if there was anyone else with them, they said no. But 15 minutes later they told the lifeguard there was a sixth boy with them," Young told reporter.

According to Australian Associated Press, Young said the group has entered the water between the flags but were swept north, outside the flagged area.

A search has been launched with police, lifeguards and a rescue helicopter taking part in.

Young said the search has now been scaled down because of poor visibility.

The Gold Coast is a city and local government area in the southeast corner of Queensland, Australia.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2009)