On Sunday [May 17] at 4.12pm, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Bakoven duty crew were alerted to an unconfirmed report of a suspected drowning in progress near Beta Beach, Bakoven. The victim has not yet been found.
The person who has gone missing in the suspected drowning is believed to be a Johannesburg resident who is said to be from Nigeria, aged approximately in his late 20’s.
Both the NSRI Bakoven sea rescue crew and a Law Enforcement officer responded to the alert and proceeded to investigate while NSRI Bakoven duty crew responded to the Bakoven sea rescue base where they prepared to launch a sea rescue craft.
When they arrived, they confirmed that a man had gone missing after slipping off the rocks. Thereafter, a search commenced.
According to a media release, “additional NSRI crew and Law Enforcement officers, Cape Town CSO (Community Security Organisation) medics, City of Cape Town (CoCT) Fire and Rescue Services and their Fire Dive Unit, the SA Police Services, ER24 ambulance services, Community Medics and a WC Government Health EMS rescue squad responded.”
Rescue swimmers from the NSRI proceeded with free dive search efforts. These were conducted in strong currents and a high tide.
NSRI Table Bay duty crew were placed on alert.
The extensive search has been inconclusive and the man is yet to be found.
A Police Dive Unit supported by a CoCT Fire Dive Unit and NSRI Bakoven are preparing to continue a search in the morning and Police have opened an investigation.
Picture: Facebook / NSRI