A search effort for a 23-year-old man from Limpopo, who is presumed to have drowned at an Umhlanga beach, has entered its second day. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, went missing while swimming at Eastmoor Crescent on Monday.
According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, lifeguards, rescue swimmers, police, and metro officials were quickly on the scene. "Upon arrival, NSRI rescue swimmers and eThekwini Umhlanga lifeguards launched a Malibu rescue board and torpedo buoys to aid in the search," Lambinon explained. "They conducted a free dive search after the young man was caught in rip currents while swimming in the surf. Despite the efforts of rescue teams and NSRI craft, no signs of the missing man have been found."
The man is understood to have been on a holiday with his brother, who lives in Johannesburg. They had been visiting the Drakensberg before deciding to stop by the beach for a swim prior to their flight back. The 23-year-old, a student at Limpopo University, entered the water and was later caught in the dangerous rip currents, which likely led to his disappearance.
Authorities continue their search for the missing man along the shoreline and at sea, as hopes of locating him remain.