New Year's Day tragedy: 4 dead, multiple missing after South African beach drownings
Lifeguards, police units and medical teams and the crew from National Sea Rescue Institute were kept busy on New Year's Day as they responded to several drownings across South African beaches like Durban South Beach, Hibberdene and Pennington on the South Coast, with the latter experiencing mass drowning due to a rip current. Langebaan and Knysnia beaches in the Western Cape also experienced several drownings and swimmers who went missing.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
A series of drowning incidents, missing swimmers and dramatic rescues marked the first day of the New Year across South Africa’s coastline, with search efforts continuing for several missing bathers. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), lifeguards, police units and medical teams responded to numerous emergencies from early morning through to late evening on New Year's Day.
Durban South Beach: Search launched for missing swimmer
Police Search and Rescue, Metro Police and eThekwini lifeguards initiated an extensive operation after a 22-year-old man from the Eastern Cape disappeared in the surf earlier in the morning.
NSRI Durban joined the search by sea, while a Police Air Wing helicopter assisted from above. Despite intensive shoreline, air and sea patrols, no trace of the man was found. Searches are continuing and police are investigating.
Knysna, Leisure Isle: Teenager rescued and revived
NSRI Knysna lifeguards pulled a 13-year-old local boy from the water and immediately began CPR after he appeared to suffer a medical emergency while swimming. NSRI medics and ER24 paramedics assisted, successfully restoring a pulse before transporting him to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Authorities praised lifeguards for their swift, life-saving response.
Langebaan Main Beach: Man found lifeless, later declared deceased
A 26-year-old man from Burundi was discovered floating unresponsive in the water by a kite-boarder, who brought him to shore. A German doctor who witnessed the rescue immediately began CPR, which paramedics later took over. Despite prolonged efforts, the man was declared deceased. Police have opened an inquest, and the circumstances are still under investigation.
Hibberdene/Mfazazane area: Local man missing in surf
Emergency responders launched a search after a 33-year-old local man reportedly disappeared in the water around 4pm. NSRI Shelly Beach, Med-Evac services, Police and Police Search and Rescue combed the area but found no sign of him. Searches are continuing.
Pennington Beach: Mass casualty drowning incident
Multiple swimmers were swept into rip currents, triggering a large-scale response from NSRI Rocky Bay, Police Search and Rescue, IPSS Medical Rescue and Alert lifeguards.
Lifeguards managed to pull three people from the water.
One 21-year-old man was declared deceased at the scene.
Two survivors, including an 18-year-old woman, escaped injury.
However, three men remained missing. At 9h30pm, police recovered the body of another 21-year-old male, bringing confirmed fatalities to two.
Police have opened inquest dockets, and search operations continue for the two remaining missing men, both believed to be aged 21.
Ongoing Efforts and Condolences
Police Search and Rescue teams, assisted by NSRI units and lifeguards, continue to search across affected areas. Authorities caution that some details may change as investigations progress.
Heartfelt condolences have been extended to the families and friends of those who have died or remain missing.