An UMLAZI teenager is missing after reportedly drowning while in the water with his friends in an area without lifeguard supervision at Brighton Beach yesterday afternoon (November 19). The incident happened before 17:00 in conditions exacerbated by the recent spring tide.

Also read: Fisherman airlifted after near drowning at Cuttings Beach

Ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon conveyed her condolences. “Sadly, one youngster is missing. His friends and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) searched extensively, but he has not yet been located,” she said.

“We will wait for his body to surface, which can take about 12 hours, depending on the tides. It is a very sad day, but we hold out hope.”

Local lifeguards, Brighton Beach management, Brighton Beach police, the CPF and the NSRI all attended to the emergency call. The Victim Friendly Centre and RTL8 teams were also at the scene to offer their support to the teenager’s distraught friends.

The NSRI is still actively involved in the search. The organisation issued a spring tide safety alert recently, warning swimmers of stronger-than-normal sea currents and rip currents due to the higher and lower tides caused by Friday night’s (November 15) full moon. They urged swimmers to make sure they swam at beaches with lifeguards on duty and warned about the increased dangers from rip currents.

Solomon urged people visiting the beaches to be more safety-conscious. “I implore visitors to the beach to follow the most basic rule of only swimming between flags and also to understand and learn about rip tides which are very prevalent at The Bluff beaches.” she said.

The NSRI reiterated several water safety guidelines, including ensuring children were supervised by responsible adults, and remaining calm if caught in a rip current. Swimmers were advised to tread water to stay afloat, signal for help, and to swim parallel to the shore until free of the current before using incoming waves to return to the beach.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to remain vigilant as the spring tide is expected to prevail until this evening.

The NSRI are still actively searching for the teenager. This is a developing story, as soon as more information becomes it will be updated.

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