Key Takeaways
- Two people are still missing after a mass drowning at Pennington Beach on New Year’s Day
- A group of five people were swept out to sea, with one person rescued and two bodies recovered
- The search continues for the remaining two missing individuals, believed to be 21 years old
- Multiple incidents of drowning and near-drowning were reported at beaches around South Africa on New Year’s Day
- The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and lifeguards are involved in the search and rescue efforts
Introduction to the Incident
The start of the new year was marked by tragedy at Pennington Beach on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, where a mass drowning incident occurred on New Year’s Day. Two people are still missing after a group of five were swept out to sea, with one person rescued and the bodies of two 21-year-old men recovered. The search is ongoing for the remaining two individuals, also believed to be 21 years old. The incident has highlighted the dangers of swimming in areas with strong currents and the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings while in the water.
The Incident Unfolds
According to IPSS Medical Rescue’s Samantha Meyrick, the incident occurred on Thursday evening, when five people were swept away at Pennington Beach. The NSRI and lifeguards were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they managed to rescue one person and recover the bodies of two men. The remaining two individuals are still missing, and the search is continuing. The incident is believed to have occurred in the surf zone at Pennington Beach, near the tidal pool, where the five people apparently got caught in rip currents.
Multiple Incidents Reported
The incident at Pennington Beach was not an isolated one, as several other beaches around the country reported similar incidents on New Year’s Day. In Gordon’s Bay, Western Cape, the NSRI discovered the body of a man in the surf zone, while in Langebaan, a 26-year-old man from Burundi was found dead in the surf. In Knysna, Western Cape, a 13-year-old boy was rescued and resuscitated by NSRI crew members after he appeared to have suffered a medical condition while swimming. Additionally, a teenager disappeared while swimming at Jabula Beach in St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, and a search is currently underway for a swimmer in distress off Thompson’s Bay beach in Ballito.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The search for the missing individuals at Pennington Beach is being carried out by IPSS Medical Rescue, the NSRI, and lifeguards. The NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, stated that the incident occurred in the surf zone at Pennington Beach, near the tidal pool, and that the five people apparently got caught in rip currents. The search and rescue teams are working together to locate the missing individuals and bring them to safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of the dangers of swimming in areas with strong currents and the need for proper safety measures to be in place.
Conclusion and Ongoing Search
The search for the missing individuals at Pennington Beach is ongoing, and the NSRI and lifeguards are working tirelessly to locate them. The incident has highlighted the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings while in the water and the need for proper safety measures to be in place. As the search continues, the community is holding out hope that the missing individuals will be found safe and sound. The incident is a sobering reminder of the dangers of swimming in areas with strong currents and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. The NSRI and lifeguards are urging beachgoers to be aware of the dangers of rip currents and to take necessary precautions when swimming.