A teenager remains missing while four others were rescued and taken to hospital following a drowning incident at Monwabisi Beach on Saturday.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), emergency crews were activated at 11:02 after eyewitnesses reported a drowning in progress at the beach.
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NSRI Strandfontein Station 16, rescue swimmers, the South African Police Service, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Western Cape Government Health EMS, ER24, and City of Cape Town Law Enforcement responded to the scene.
Initial reports suggested multiple people were in distress in the water, with one teenager reportedly already rescued by a bystander believed to have been wearing a lifeguard shirt.
Five Teenagers Caught in Strong Currents
Upon arrival, rescuers found four local male teenagers, believed to be between the ages of 13 and 17, on the beach suffering symptoms consistent with non-fatal drowning.
The group informed rescuers that a fifth member – a 17-year-old boy – was still missing in the surf.
Authorities later determined that the five teenagers had been swimming when they were apparently caught in strong rip currents.
While medical care was provided to the injured teens, NSRI crews launched the rescue craft JetRIB Sharon from the Monwabisi satellite rescue base as part of an urgent sea and shoreline search.
The four rescued teenagers were transported to hospital by ambulance.
Two were reported to be in stable condition, while two others were in serious but stable condition.
All are expected to recover.
Good Samaritans Credited with Saving Lives
Rescuers praised several Good Samaritans whose quick actions are believed to have prevented further tragedy.
According to eyewitness reports, a man believed to be a lifeguard used an NSRI pink rescue buoy stationed at the beach to save one teenager, while surfers reportedly used their boards to help rescue three others from the water.
The NSRI commended the unidentified rescuers, as well as the eyewitness who raised the alarm.
Despite an extensive search involving police divers from the Water Policing and Diving Services unit, no sign of the missing teenager had been found by Sunday.
Search operations remain ongoing.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident, while thoughts remain with the affected teenagers, their families, and the family of the missing boy.
