GQEBERHA – The Coastal Water Rescue (CWR) squad in Gqeberha was activated to respond to Bluewater Bay Main Beach last night, 2 January 2026.
A CWR statement shared that there were initially two casualties in the water, aged between 19 and 23 years old. “The 19-year-old female was successfully retrieved by a local fisherman, but the second casualty, a 23-year-old male, was still missing, last seen close to the last set of breakers and presumably caught in a rip current,” the statement said.
It added that on arrival, CWR members entered the water to start a water search, and continued the search for about 30 minutes, with strong currents and fading light making the search effort very difficult.
“NSRI Station 6 responded from the harbour with their rescue craft Rescue 6C, and joined the search.”
Unfortunately, none of the search efforts were successful, and the scene was handed over to the SAPS.
According to SAPS spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, SAPS Swartkops are currently busy with a search operation in the vicinity of Bluewater Bay beachfront.
Information received stated that SAPS Swartkops responded to a complaint last night, 02 January 2026 at approximately 18:35 of a drowning in progress at the Bluewater Bay Beach in Weinronk Street.
“On arrival the members were informed by the complainant that her boyfriend was swimming with his sister when suddenly both started to scream for help,” Janse Van Rensburg said.
She added, “Two bystanders ran into the water and rescued the young girl, 18 years of age, and brought her to safety. The adult male got dragged deeper into the water by the strong current and then disappeared under the water before he could be rescued.”
All the necessary role-players were contacted for a search and rescue operation.
“The search for the missing 23-year-old is continuing today, 03 January 2026,” Janse Van Rensburg concluded.
