File image: Human remains have been found at Pennington Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast after three bathers were swept away on New Year’s Day. Reports have emerged that human remains have been recovered at Pennington Beach, on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast where three bathers went missing on New Year’s Day. According to a report on news channel Newzroom Afrika, the remains were found on a rock near the shore by a relative of the missing men who has been continuously searching for the young men.
Due to the state of the human remains, DNA testing would have to be conducted to confirm the identity of the deceased, it was report. The relatives have been keeping vigil at the beach since New Year’s Day. On Sunday, January 4, families joined by church members gathered in prayer at the beach for the recovery of their loved ones.
Umdoni mayor Mbali Cele-Luthuli was also present at the prayer and pledged that search operations would continue. In total there were seven people who were swept away by a rip current while they swam at Pennington beach on the New Year’s Day, three were found dead while one was rescued and three men remain missing. Lifesaving South Africa said in a statement on Tuesday that the new year began on a tragic note, with several drowning incidents reported along South Africa’s coastline.
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“The first two days of January were particularly devastating, beginning with the widely reported mass drowning at Pennington Beach. This was followed by reports of bathers missing at Ballito, Blue Water Bay (Gqeberha), Wedge Beach, South Beach and Country Club Beach (Durban), St Lucia (Jabula Beach), and most recently at Banana Beach on the South Coast, where a fisherman went missing. “Lifesaving South Africa extends its deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those families who continue to maintain vigils, hoping for the safe return of those still missing.”
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