NSRI
A teenage French rugby player has gone missing at sea at Diaz Beach following an incident at Cape Point on Wednesday.
The National Sea Rescue Institute said the 17-year-old was part of a French school’s rugby team in the country.
Spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said they suspect that members of the rugby squad may have been swimming at Diaz Beach when strong rip currents swept the teenager into the surf zone.
He said they were contacted by Table Mountain Park rangers who reported a person in difficulty in the water.
“From a vantage point above the cliffs, the TMNP rangers reported that it appeared that two people were in the surf zone in rip currents when it then appeared (to the TMNP rangers) that one person had come ashore but the second person may have disappeared in the water,” Lambinon said.
He said while raising the alarm, the rangers responded to the scene, below the cliffs of Cape point main parking area, to investigate further.
Lambinon said the City of Cape Town water rescue network, NSRI Simonstown and NSRI Hout Bay duty crews were activated, while Cape Medical Response dispatched an ambulance, a rescue vehicle and a paramedic response vehicle.
Two NSRI rescue craft were also launched to join the police in the response, which also included the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, and a Metro rescue diver, responded.
Lambinon said despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager.
He said police divers are continuing in an ongoing search, while French and City authorities assist with counselling and logistics.
All thoughts, care and compassion are with the family, friends and the French u/18 schools rugby squad following an incident on Wednesday where a 17 year old French Schools rugby team member went missing at Diaz Beach, Cape Point, Cape Town, South Africa.https://t.co/GJiTruAFkc
— National Sea Rescue Institute (@NSRI) August 8, 2024
