Staff Reporter
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has warned the public to exercise extreme caution when swimming in the sea during spring tide conditions, following the mass drownings at Pennington Beach on New Year’s Day.
“NSRI, Police, emergency services and lifeguards are appealing to the public to be cautious during this full moon Spring tide phase, where rip currents and sea currents can be stronger than normal,” the organisation said on Sunday.
It said that search efforts were continuing across multiple coastal locations, including Pennington, for three missing bathers.
A group of bathers got into distress near the Pennington Beach tidal pool at about 6pm on New Year’s Day after being swept out by powerful rip currents, triggering a multi-agency response involving lifeguards, police search and rescue, the NSRI and emergency medical services.
The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) said that as of Saturday morning, three 21-year-old men remained missing.
COGTA said the bodies of two 21-year-old men were recovered on the evening of the incident, and an 18-year-old female was later found dead at Bazley Beach.
“Our hearts go out to the families who began the New Year with such devastating loss. We are mourning the young lives cut short by this tragedy. We also hold in our prayers the families of those who remain missing; our teams are doing everything humanly possible to bring closure to these households,” said COGTA MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
The NSRI urged bathers to adhere to basic safety measures. “Only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards. Do not drink alcohol and swim. Parents, please ensure that your children have responsible adult supervision in and around water.”
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