Cape Town - Two survivors of a capsized boat were rescued, from the sea between Oudekraal and Mouille Point and the body of one person recovered, while the search for others continues.
The South African Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon confirmed that during the ongoing search for nine people, suspected to be missing following an inflatable raft capsizing on Thursday morning, two men have been rescued.
“Those two men were recovered into the Airforce helicopter and they have been airlifted to the landing zone that has been established at Clifton.” Lambinon said both men were being attended to for severe hypothermia.
Following the rescue, the body of a man believed to be one of those from the capsized vessel was recovered.
The body was brought to the NSRI base in Bakoven where the man was declared deceased. Lambinon said the police then took over, taking the body into the care of the forensic pathology services.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson Deanna Bessick said a search was still under way. “The Western Cape Government Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the NSRI responded to the incident.”
South African Air Force (SAAF), director corporate staff services, Hilton Smith said they received a request for sea rescue assistance from NSRI to rescue people who were on-board a rubber duck boat that capsized between Clifton beach and Oudekraal.
Video: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA)
The Chief of the SAAF, Zimpande Msimang has since authorised 22 Squadron, based at Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat to join other sea rescue entities involved in the joint sea rescue efforts.
\Msimang said a SAAF Oryx helicopter crew (Major Juan-Pierrie du Preez - pilot, Major Tebogo Selepe - Co-pilot and Warrant Officer Gerard Usher - Flight engineer), managed to rescue two survivors and brought them to safety.
The remaining people who were on-board the ill-fated inflatable boat are still unaccounted for and a joint sea and land rescue mission is ongoing to locate them.
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