A search is continuing for a 19-year-old teenager who was swept out to sea by strong rip currents at Mtunzini Main Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.
The teenager, who is from the Eastern Cape, was swimming with his girlfriend on Thursday afternoon when he got into difficulty in the surf.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says his girlfriend managed to reach the shore safely, but the teenager was carried further out by the strong currents and disappeared from view.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says the KZN surf rescue network was activated, along with NSRI rescue craft, the South African Police Service, Mtunzini Community Policing Forum, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife rangers and IPSS Medical Rescue.
Lambinon says local community members, friends and family, as well as boaters, joined the search using a private drone, a rigid-hull inflatable boat and a jet ski.
“An extensive air, sea and shoreline search has revealed no signs of the missing teenager,” Lambinon said.
Police canine search and rescue teams and the Water Policing and Diving Service are continuing with search operations.
Lambinon says the search remains ongoing, while authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.
The NSRI has also expressed its condolences and support to the teenager’s family and friends during the search.