NSRI search operations continue for festive season drownings

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says a number of search operations are continuing amid several drowning incidents across the country over the festive season.

Those still missing include an 18-year-old at Brighton Beach in KwaZulu-Natal, two people in Doringbaai and Langebaan on the Cape West Coast and a man who allegedly tried to cross the Jukskei River on New Year’s Day.

The NSRI says it has responded to multiple incidents over the festive period, with over 20 drownings in KZN in late November alone.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambion says in many cases, people were swimming at beaches where no lifeguards were present.

“Obviously you can’t have lifeguards everywhere, so lifeguards are at certain beaches that are protected. We appeal to people to swim at those beaches because that is what we have noticed, most of the drowning incidents have happened at beaches not protected by lifeguards. It also appears that with some of the drowning incidents, alcohol may have contributed to the drowning accident. We appeal to the public don’t drink alcohol when you are going to swim.”