Search continues for missing man in South African river

September 2, 2024
Search for 21 year old in Tugela River
Search for 21 year old in Tugela River

Rescue teams in South Africa are continuing their search for a 21-year-old man who went missing in the Tugela River over the weekend.

The man was last seen entering the river on Sunday, prompting a multi-agency response. IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick said search efforts resumed early Monday morning, involving IPSS Search & Rescue, Empangeni Police K9 unit, and Durban Police Search & Rescue.

In a separate incident, five people were rescued after their boat capsized in Durban Port on Saturday.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) duty coxswain Paul Bevis said two private vessels responded to the alert, rescuing four men and one woman from the water.

“A swift coordinated effort saw all five people rescued,” Mr Bevis said. “They showed signs of hypothermia and received medical treatment.”

NSRI swimmers were deployed to ensure no one else was in the water. The capsized boat was later righted and brought to shore.

Mr Bevis praised the efforts of the private vessels that assisted in the rescue, as well as the NSRI teams involved.