Lifeguards dressed in red and yellow uniforms sit in and stand near a lifeguard tower on a beach Lifesaving South Africa has urged beachgoers to avoid swimming at beaches where lifeguards are not on duty. File Picture: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
Search operations are continuing for a teenage boy and a man who were swept away in incidents at KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape beaches on Sunday.
The first incident occurred at Umnini Beach, Umgababa, in KZN, just after midday on Sunday. Lifeguards from Amanzimtoti Main Beach received an urgent call reporting a drowning in progress at the non-bathing beach. Upon arrival, it was confirmed that a teenage boy had drowned.
Lifesaving South Africa president Dhaya Sewduth emphasised the importance of following safety guidelines when swimming at beaches.
“The advisory that must be heeded is that swimming should not take place where there are no lifeguards on duty. If no lifeguards are on duty, then one should not swim there.”
The SAPS Search and Rescue team is leading the ongoing search for the teenager.
Sewduth added that hazardous rip currents are a significant risk along the South African coastline.
“The red and yellow bathing flags are the most obvious sign that there are lifeguards on duty. Lifeguards assess conditions and place the flags in the safest zone, constantly reminding bathers to swim within that area,” he said.
The second incident was reported at Strand Beach in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon.
According to reports, a 24-year-old man disappeared underwater around 3:10 pm while swimming at a non-patrolled area.
“Family and friends of the missing man alerted lifeguards, who immediately began searching for him,” Sewduth said. The National Sea Rescue Institute launched rescue craft to assist in the search, which continued until 7 pm without success. The Police Water Policing and Diving Services have since taken over the search.“
Lifesaving South Africa extended its sympathies to the families of both missing individuals.
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