With rising temperatures, rescue teams have been responding to a series of drownings, mostly occurring along rivers.

MTWALUME

A man drowned in Mtwalume on Sunday evening, January 28. At about 22:00, Mi7 Rescue teams were dispatched to a river in the Mtwalume area after reports of a drowning incident. Along with Port Shepstone K9 Search and Rescue officers, Mi7 Rescue teams searched the area extensively. “We found clothes on the riverbank and proceeded to get into the murky water. The conditions, being dark, murky, and with a strong current, made the search difficult,” said Rudi Prinsloo of Mi7. The search continued the next morning (Monday), and the body was recovered.

PORT EDWARD

In a separate incident, a man (25) from the Eastern Cape, disappeared underwater while swimming at Glenmore Lagoon on the Tongazi River, Port Edward on Sunday, January 28. Gert du Plessis, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said lifeguards initiated a search and then raised the alarm. Members from K9 Search and Rescue responded and joined lifeguards and NSRI in the search operation. “Police divers, free and scuba diving, were deployed into the water,” said Du Plessis. During the search, police divers located and recovered the body of the man. In another incident, Mi7 Rescue teams, along with Port Shepstone and Durban K9 Search and Rescue officers, responded to a drowning incident at a river in Port Edward on Saturday, January 20. “It is believed a man was crossing the river when he was swept away by the currents. The man’s body was only discovered after extensive search operations,” said Prinsloo.

SEZELA

Then, Mi7 Rescue teams along with Port Shepstone and Durban K9 Search and Rescue officers responded to another incident at a river in Sezela on Sunday, January 21. “It is believed a man was fishing at the river when he fell in. His body was recovered later that afternoon. We extend our gratitude to all members involved in recovery operations, risking their own lives in severe conditions,” said Prinsloo. He urged community members to exercise extreme caution near rivers and water bodies, avoid unnecessary risks, and adhere to safety advisories issued by local authorities.

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