Durban — A body suspected of being from a recent drowning incident washed up on a KwaZulu-Natal beach on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Durban North police had opened an inquest after a body of an unknown man was recovered at Umdloti on Tuesday, 20 December.
According to Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Tongaat’s Nazir Sadack, the body was that of an unidentified man.
Sadack added that they suspected that it could be a missing swimmer, because it did not seem that he had been in the water long. That would form part of the police investigation.
CERT said that at approximately 4.50pm on Tuesday, CERT volunteers responded to Umdloti Beach where according to reports, a body was seen floating.
CERT said that upon the arrival of CERT volunteers, it was confirmed to be a body. The body of an unidentified adult male was retrieved by CERT volunteers and eThekwini lifeguards.
CERT also thanked IPSS Medical Rescue, the National Sea Rescue Institute station 41 Ballito and the Umdloti Community Policing Forum for their assistance.
On Saturday, KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Robert Mckenzie said that earlier in the afternoon, emergency services responded to the eThekwini beachfront, Bay of Plenty beach, where a freak wave had washed several people out to sea.
Mckenzie said that three people drowned and paramedics treated a total of 17 patients at the scene who were in serious and critical condition before transporting them to the hospital for continued medical care.
KZN VIP spokesperson Glen Naidoo added that it was believed a freak wave swept a group of beachgoers against the pier causing multiple injuries.
“Sadly three people, including a teenager, were among those who were declared deceased at the scene,” Naidoo said.
He thanked lifeguards, metro police and other services who worked tirelessly to stabilise and save all other victims.
Naidoo added that the beach was closed off.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that two adults and a teenager were declared dead after they were reportedly swept into the sea by a rip current. Some people were reportedly injured and were treated at the scene before they were taken to hospitals.
Daily News