A 31-year-old man is missing after he was swept out to sea while fishing near Hluleka Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape on Monday. The incident occurred at Banana Beach, prompting an emergency response from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), local lifeguards and police. NSRI Mdumbi duty coxswain Johann Stadler said the Mdumbi duty crew was activated just before 3 pm following reports from the Nyandeni Municipality of a drowning in progress.
“Municipal lifeguards had entered the water in an attempt to rescue a man who appeared to be caught in rip currents and in distress in the surf zone, reportedly while crayfishing,” Stadler said. However, the man disappeared beneath the water before lifeguards could reach him. Lifeguards immediately began search efforts, while the NSRI Mdumbi rescue craft JetRIB was launched from the station’s rescue base.
The police were also alerted. “On arrival at the scene, NSRI joined lifeguards in sea and shoreline search efforts for the missing local man,” Stadler said. Despite extensive searches, the man has not been found.
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Police Search and Rescue teams have now taken over the operation and will continue the search, assisted by lifeguards. “Thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time,” Stadler said.
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