The ongoing search for a 24-year-old man who went missing while swimming at Strand Beach continued with extensive efforts by multiple rescue units.
The search, involving both sea and air operations, was initiated promptly after reports from lifeguards were received on Sunday (19 January).
According to Brian Gosling, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Gordon’s Bay duty coxswain, the City of Cape Town water-rescue network was alerted to the incident by Strand Surf Lifesaving lifeguards at 15:16, and City lifeguards were engaged in a search for a missing man believed to be from Eerste River.
Multiple rescue teams, including NSRI Gordon’s Bay, the police, provincial government Health EMS rescue squad, City Fire and Rescue services and Law Enforcement, and GBMed ambulance services, responded to the emergency.
Lifeguards launched an inflatable rescue boat, while NSRI Gordon’s Bay deployed their NSRI rescue craft JetRib. Both rescue crafts, along with NSRI rescue swimmers and lifeguards, conducted extensive searches in the surf zone and beyond.
An EMS rescue drone was also used for aerial search efforts.
Despite thorough searches conducted, the man had not yet been found.
The authorities and rescue teams remain committed to the search, and thoughts are with the family in this challenging period.
