Rescue teams resumed extensive search operations at first light on Friday, 2 January, following a mass drowning incident that occurred at Pennington Beach on New Year’s Day.
The search is being led by NSRI Rocky Bay, Police Search and Rescue, the South African Police Service and Umdoni lifeguards, with efforts extending along the coastline and out to sea.
Unaccounted for
During the course of Friday’s operation, authorities confirmed that three men, all believed to be 21 years old, remain missing, revising earlier information that suggested two were unaccounted for.
Tragically, during ongoing search efforts on Friday morning, the body of an 18-year-old woman was discovered on the beach at Bazley Beach.
Police confirmed that she had gone missing during the same drowning incident at Pennington Beach on the evening of 1 January.
Incident toll so far
The incident has now resulted in the following outcomes:
- One male (21) found deceased during the initial rescue operation on the evening of 1 January
- One male (21) recovered deceased by police at around 21:30 on 1 January near Pennington
- One female (18) rescued on the evening of 1 January and not injured
- One female (18) found deceased at Bazley Beach on Friday morning
- Three males (all believed to be 21) remain missing
All those involved are believed to be from KwaZulu-Natal.
Search and rescue operations are continuing for the three missing men, with teams maintaining sea and shoreline searches under challenging conditions.
Authorities and rescue services have conveyed their deepest condolences and support to the families and friends affected by the tragedy, as efforts to locate the missing continue.
