CAPE TOWN — At least eight people have drowned and nine others remain missing following a series of aquatic incidents across South Africa during October, Lifesaving South Africa has reported.

The drownings and disappearances occurred at beaches, rivers, dams, lagoons and tidal pools from the Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, with children accounting for a significant number of the fatalities.

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) confirmed the incidents in a statement on Monday, raising concern over the spike in drowning-related emergencies as temperatures rise and more people seek relief from the heat at aquatic environments.

Children among the victims

Among the confirmed deaths are at least four children.

On 5 October, a child drowned in a tidal pool at Camps Bay in the Western Cape, with resuscitation efforts proving unsuccessful. Five days later, another child drowned at Kleinmond Beach Lagoon, also in the Western Cape, and could not be revived by bystanders or emergency personnel.

ALSO READ: Camps Bay Tidal Pool drowning claims life of 8-year-old

On 18 October, police divers recovered the body of a child who drowned at a dam in Muldersdrift, Gauteng. A fourth child’s body was recovered from the Mlumati River in Mpumalanga on 16 October, although the exact date and time of the incident had not been established.

On 24 October, an adult drowned at Lentjieklip Beach in Wilderness, Western Cape, while attempting to rescue swimmers caught in rip currents. Two teenagers were rescued by a bystander during the same incident.

At Kidson Weir in Henley-on-Klip, Gauteng, two men drowned in a river on 22 October. The body of one man was recovered the following day, while the search for the second man continued.

In Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, a drowning incident was reported in a river on 19 October. According to police search and rescue, a body had been recovered by 24 October.

Police search and rescue also recovered the body of an adult at a Durban beach with a white cable tied around the neck. A police inquest is expected to establish the circumstances and cause of death.

ALSO READ: Beachgoers urged to remain vigilant after swimmer dies in shark attack

Missing swimmers

Nine swimmers remained missing at the time of reporting, with no recoveries made despite extensive search operations.

These include swimmers who disappeared at Mtunzini Main Beach and Cape Vidal Beach in KwaZulu-Natal on 1 October and 3 October respectively, both reportedly caught in rip currents. A swimmer also went missing at Kromme River Mouth in the Eastern Cape on 1 October.

On 4 October, a swimmer was reported missing at Glen Beach in Cape Town, while an adult male fisherman was believed to have drowned at Treasure Beach, south of Durban, on 5 October.

Further missing swimmer reports were received on 18 October from Jabula Beach in St Lucia and Alkanstrand in Richards Bay, both in KwaZulu-Natal. At Alkanstrand, the missing swimmer had been attempting to rescue another swimmer in distress. The latter swimmer reached shore safely.

On 24 October, a swimmer was reported missing at Salmon Bay in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.

LSA noted that the status of missing persons and the circumstances of individual incidents may change as search operations and investigations progress.

Safety warning

The organisation urged the public to swim only at beaches where lifeguards are on duty and to obey all warning signs, safety flags, lifeguard instructions and beach closures.

“Drowning incidents are often preventable. Respecting water conditions, following safety instructions and choosing supervised swimming locations can help reduce the risk of further tragedies,” LSA stated.

The organisation also reminded the public not to enter dangerous water to rescue someone unless they have the appropriate training and equipment. Where possible, people should alert lifeguards or emergency services and use safer rescue methods, such as reaching the person from a safe position or throwing flotation equipment to the person in distress.

LSA emphasised that young children must be actively supervised around water at all times and kept within arm’s reach, whether at beaches, swimming pools, dams, rivers, lagoons or tidal pools.

“Parents and caregivers should never assume that a child is safe simply because the water appears shallow or calm. Conditions can change, and drowning can occur quickly and silently,” the organisation said.

LSA reiterated its key safety message: “Swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty. Avoid closed beaches and unpatrolled waters. Supervise children closely and never attempt a rescue that places your own life at risk.”

ALSO READ: Beachgoers urged to remain vigilant after swimmer dies in shark attack