School holiday tragedy as teenager missing in KwaZulu-Natal surf

A 19-year-old from the Eastern Cape remains missing after disappearing in the surf at Mtunzini Main Beach in KwaZulu-Natal.

The teenager went missing on Thursday afternoon while swimming with his girlfriend.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its Richards Bay duty crew was activated at around 13:10 following reports of a drowning in progress.

The KZN surf rescue network was also alerted, with multiple emergency services and community members joining the search.

Extensive search launched

The NSRI responded with a rescue vehicle towing a JetRIB rescue craft, while the South African Police Service, Mtunzini Community Policing Forum, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife rangers and IPSS Medical Rescue also attended the scene.

When rescuers arrived, local community members, friends and family were already searching for the teenager.

Local boaters also assisted, using a rigid-hull inflatable boat and jet ski, while a private aerial drone was deployed to search from above.

According to the NSRI, the teenager had been swimming with his girlfriend when she left the water.

She then noticed that he appeared to be in difficulty and believed he had been caught in rip currents before disappearing in the surf zone.

Search continues

An extensive search of the air, sea and shoreline has so far failed to locate the teenager.

Police K9 Search and Rescue teams and the Water Policing and Diving Service are continuing with search operations.

Police have also opened an investigation into the incident.

The NSRI said its thoughts and care were with the teenager’s family and friends during the difficult time.

Meanwhile, in other NSRI-related news, after Graham Howes’ family set out to honour his memory by helping the NSRI save lives at sea, their vision is becoming a reality.