Search Continues for Missing 16-Year-Old Girl After Gqeberha Beach Tragedy

A desperate search is underway along the coastline of Wells Estate in Gqeberha, where a 16-year-old local girl disappeared beneath the waves on Saturday evening. Despite an extensive multi-agency rescue operation that spanned hours, there has been no sign of the teenager since she got into difficulty in the surf zone.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Gqeberha was activated around 6 PM on Saturday, 31 January, after reports of a drowning in progress. According to the NSRI, the teenager was struggling in the surf when an adult male, acting as a Good Samaritan, entered the water to assist her. Tragically, he also got into trouble and was forced to focus on his own survival. He managed to self-rescue but was unable to reach the girl before she vanished from sight.

A Night-Time Search Effort

An immediate and large-scale response was launched. NSRI Gqeberha dispatched rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha and a JetRIB, while NSRI rescue swimmers, Nelson Mandela Bay lifeguards, Coastal Water Rescue, and the South African Police Service all converged on the scene. Teams conducted an intensive search of the sea and shoreline, scouring the surf zone and areas beyond.

As night fell and the initial search proved unsuccessful, the operation transitioned from rescue to recovery. On Sunday, Police Search and Rescue divers, assisted by municipal lifeguards, continued the painstaking effort to locate the missing teen.

The community of Wells Estate and the broader Nelson Mandela Bay region are holding their breath, their thoughts with the grieving family facing every parent’s worst nightmare. The incident serves as a stark and sorrowful reminder of the powerful and unpredictable nature of the sea, even close to shore. The search continues.

{Source: TheSouthAfrican}

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