A southern NSW community is in mourning for an eight-year-old Congolese boy who remains missing after being caught in a rip during an evening swim.
The boy, named in media reports as Eliacham Milolo, was last seen at about 6.20pm (AEDT) on Monday when he went into the water with his young sister at Corrimal Beach near Wollongong.
Police have been told the boy got caught in a rip, while the girl managed to get back to the beach and call for help.
Police believe it is possible the current dragged the boy under a rock ledge about 80 metres out to sea.
A massive search on Tuesday involving police divers, water police and air support was hampered by rough conditions, which led to a police boat capsizing.
Six police divers along with their equipment were tossed into the water after the motor cut out and it was hit by a wave about 10.20am (AEDT), a police spokeswoman said.
All of the divers were rescued from the water and there were no injuries.
The boy had only been in Australia for a few years after his family fled Congo to escape civil war, Network Ten reported.
Brett Gottle, from Wollongong Church of Christ, said the local community was struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
"They've been through so much, and to have this happen to them, we just can't believe it," he told Network Ten.
"He's a robust, vigorous, happy, engaging little boy, full of life," he said.
Acting Sergeant Steve Probst said the boy's family was "not coping well, obviously."
Family spokesman Ansu Kamara paid tribute to the boy, saying "he was a very good kid and an intelligent boy that everybody in the community loved."
A tribute service will be held in Wollongong on Sunday at 10am.
Police said a scaled down search will resume on Wednesday morning.
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