GQEBERHA – A grim day unfolded along the Gqeberha coastline on 25 May, as the South African Police Service (SAPS) responded to two drowning incidents that claimed the lives of two young men.

According to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, the first deceased, an unidentified man estimated to be approximately 28 years old, was discovered washed ashore behind the Summerstrand beacon at around 11:15.

Beetge said that the man was dressed in a grey long-sleeved shirt and black tekkies.

Hours later, tragedy struck again.

Beetge said a second man drowned at Hobie Beach at approximately 18:40.

“The body of the second man was recovered from the water at around 20:00,” said Beetge.

He said that the man had been positively identified by his family as Lindokuhle Mike Xobo (28).

“Both inquest cases were opened and are being investigated by SAPS Humewood,” said Beetge.

When asked whether the two drowning incidents were linked and what the surrounding circumstances were, SAPS confirmed that both the connection between the incidents and the surrounding circumstances remain unknown at this stage of the investigation.

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