Police divers resumed their search at Jabula Beach in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday for a 22-year-old man presumed to have drowned. The man, part of a group from Gauteng on a work trip, went for a swim at St Lucia on Sunday when he was caught in rip currents and swept out to sea.
Craig Lambinon from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) confirmed that two of the man’s friends attempted to rescue him but were unable to reach him. Eyewitnesses reported that the two men returned to the beach after their failed rescue attempt.
NSRI launched a rescue craft and positioned lookout teams, including NSRI crew, Alpha Security, and local Rate Payers Association members, at high vantage points during the search. Despite an extensive operation during the spring high tide, no signs of the missing man were found.
The group of six men from Gauteng had been swimming at Jabula Beach when the tragic incident occurred. Police Search and Rescue teams have been alerted and are continuing efforts to locate the man. The South African Police Services are also involved in the ongoing search.