Urgent search efforts for missing man following drowning at Oudekraal Beach
An extensive air, sea, and shoreline search by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and City of Cape Town emergency services failed to locate an unidentified man reported to have drowned at Cosy Bay, Oudekraal, on Sunday, February 2.
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An extensive air, sea, and shoreline search by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and City of Cape Town emergency services failed to locate an unidentified man reported to have drowned at Cosy Bay, Oudekraal, on Sunday afternoon.
According to NSRI Bakoven station commander, Bevan Geyser, the alarm was raised at 4.38pm on Sunday, February 1, with reports of a drowning in progress at the popular Atlantic Seaboard spot, between Bakoven and Llandudno.
He also confirmed that NSRI Bakoven duty crew and the City's water rescue network were immediately activated.
Multiple resources were deployed to the scene, including the NSRI rescue craft Gemini Legend from Bakoven, rescue swimmers from NSRI Bakoven, Hout Bay, and Table Bay, as well as municipal lifeguards, Western Cape government health emergency medical service (EMS) rescue squad, and an EMS metro rescue drone unit. City fire and rescue services' rescue divers were also placed on alert.
"On arrival, NSRI rescue swimmers entered the water conducting free-dive search efforts for an unidentified male reported by eyewitnesses to have entered the water and who appeared to get into difficulties before disappearing underwater," said Mr Geyser.
Surface water searches were conducted by the NSRI craft, while shore crew and lifeguards scoured the shoreline.
An aerial search was also carried out by the EMS metro rescue drone unit.
Police divers from the Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) attended the scene and took possession of personal items believed to belong to the missing man.
Despite the combined efforts, there remains no sign of the man. Police divers and police sea border control are continuing with ongoing search efforts.
The police are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information that could assist the police in identifying the missing man or shed light on the incident is urged to contact Camps Bay Police Station on 021 437 8150.
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