Officials in the city of Durban in the southeast of South Africa report that a freak wave at a popular beach has killed three swimmers and injured a number of others.
At North Beach, the emergency medical services “responded to reports of a freak wave that swept a group of beachgoers against the pier causing multiple injuries”.
At least three swimmers at the “Bay of Plenty” drowned on Saturday, December 17, as a result of the wave, according to Robert Mckenzie, a spokesman for KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services.
He stated that at least 17 additional people were injured and were “in serious or critical condition.”
According to a statement from the eThekwini municipality, the incident happened on Saturday about 5:00 pm local time (15:00 GMT).
The municipality office reported that more than 100 people were caught up in the incident, and that 35 lifeguards were part of the “mass rescue effort .”
A teen was among the dead, according to the report.
The incident occurred as Durban’s beaches were gradually being reopened following their closure due to high E. coli bacteria levels coming from the city’s sewer system, which had been severely damaged by deadly floods which killed over 400 people earlier in the year
In line with reports from regional media, Durban’s beaches are getting ready for a surge in visitors during the upcoming Christmas holidays.
-South Africa
Author-Abednego Abaidoo
