Three people have drowned during the week of Christmas celebrations and two swimmers are still missing.
A teen disappeared at Nahoon Mouth in East London late on Wednesday and a child of 12 went missing at Qolora near Centane.
Of the three, two were young women who drowned at Qolora and the other a man at Kenton-on-Sea.
According to provincial police, police units including the air wing, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and community members joined in for a number of the searches.
In the latest incident, a youth of 19, who was swimming with his friends in Nahoon River on Wednesday evening, is feared drowned after he was swept out to sea by rip currents.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed the incident, saying they had registered an inquiry.
“Police divers were called in and they searched the sea but could not locate a body.
“They called off the search due to bad light,” said Mbi.
On Wednesday night, the search party was boosted by the East London NSRI duty crew.
NSRI national spokesman Craig Lambinon said: “The sea rescue craft Spirit of Rotary II was launched and our NSRI rescue vehicle, government health EMS and police responded.
“No sign of the teenager has been found and police are continuing with the search,” he added.
By late yesterday the police search had still yielded nothing, Mbi said.
“The search will be expanded along the coastal areas,” he said.
Provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni gave some detail about the three tragedies in Qolora.
Two young women, both in their early 20s, drowned and a 12-year-old boy is missing, all in separate incidents.
The women’s bodies were found the same day.
“Both the women’s bodies were retrieved by police divers and their next-of-kin have been informed.
“The parents, friends and the police K9 unit continues to search for the missing boy,” said Tonjeni.
He added that on Christmas Eve, a man from Kenton-on-Sea went missing while swimming with friends at the Kariega River Mouth.
The man was believed to be a contract worker from Port Elizabeth.
“NSRI and police divers were called and they managed to retrieve the body of the drowned man, who is estimated to be 26 years old,” said Tonjeni.
He appealed to parents and guardians to keep an eye on their children near water this festive season.
“The festive season attracts thousands of holidaymakers to the coast and we urge parents to constantly talk to their children and make them aware of the possible dangers when swimming in the sea or public pools,” said Tonjeni.
lEast London police have increased the number of officers who patrol along the popular beaches.
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said they had confiscated 52 knives from people in and around East London during this festive period. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
3 drown, 2 missing in EC waves
A teen disappeared at Nahoon Mouth in East London late on Wednesday and a child of 12 went missing at Qolora near Centane.
Of the three, two were young women who drowned at Qolora and the other a man at Kenton-on-Sea.
According to provincial police, police units including the air wing, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and community members joined in for a number of the searches.
In the latest incident, a youth of 19, who was swimming with his friends in Nahoon River on Wednesday evening, is feared drowned after he was swept out to sea by rip currents.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed the incident, saying they had registered an inquiry.
“Police divers were called in and they searched the sea but could not locate a body.
“They called off the search due to bad light,” said Mbi.
On Wednesday night, the search party was boosted by the East London NSRI duty crew.
NSRI national spokesman Craig Lambinon said: “The sea rescue craft Spirit of Rotary II was launched and our NSRI rescue vehicle, government health EMS and police responded.
“No sign of the teenager has been found and police are continuing with the search,” he added.
By late yesterday the police search had still yielded nothing, Mbi said.
“The search will be expanded along the coastal areas,” he said.
Provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni gave some detail about the three tragedies in Qolora.
Two young women, both in their early 20s, drowned and a 12-year-old boy is missing, all in separate incidents.
The women’s bodies were found the same day.
“Both the women’s bodies were retrieved by police divers and their next-of-kin have been informed.
“The parents, friends and the police K9 unit continues to search for the missing boy,” said Tonjeni.
He added that on Christmas Eve, a man from Kenton-on-Sea went missing while swimming with friends at the Kariega River Mouth.
The man was believed to be a contract worker from Port Elizabeth.
“NSRI and police divers were called and they managed to retrieve the body of the drowned man, who is estimated to be 26 years old,” said Tonjeni.
He appealed to parents and guardians to keep an eye on their children near water this festive season.
“The festive season attracts thousands of holidaymakers to the coast and we urge parents to constantly talk to their children and make them aware of the possible dangers when swimming in the sea or public pools,” said Tonjeni.
lEast London police have increased the number of officers who patrol along the popular beaches.
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said they had confiscated 52 knives from people in and around East London during this festive period. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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