Two SANDF soldiers feared drowned
Two SANDF soldiers are believed to have drowned in the sea at Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, the (NSRI said on Sunday.
NSRI Port st Johns were activated on Saturday afternoon following reports of two men missing in the surf at Second Beach, spokesman Craig Lambinon said.
“The sea rescue craft Freemasons Way was launched and an extensive sea search for two male military members who were reported to have gone missing in the surf was conducted.
“It appears that while swimming one man got into difficulty in the surf and according to reports a man went into the surf to attempt to assist but he too got into difficulty and eye-witnesses reported both men disappeared under water,” he said.
Both men were believed to be SANDF members – one from Pretoria and one from Oudtshoorn. They were off-duty at the time from military exercises taking place in the area.
Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search no sign of the men had been found and they were missing and feared to have drowned.
An SA Air Force helicopter conducted a night search and continued a search from first light on Sunday, together with the SA Police Service, Eastern Cape emergency medical services, SANDF members, and a police dive unit.
The search was continuing and NSRI Port St Johns remained on alert to assist if necessary, Lambinon said.