An intensive search continued into the second day for the body of one of the four children who were allegedly swept out to sea at Kariega Beach, in Kenton-on-Sea.
According to police reports, the South African Police Service with the help of the National Sea Rescue Institute of South Africa and other stakeholders have been able to recover three bodies of the four children after a Search and Recovery operation. The body of the fourth child is still difficult to reach.
The children – aged between 9 and 12 years old, were familiar and enjoying a day out at the beach when the tragedy happened.
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Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli of the SAPS confirmed to Residents that a call was received at approximately 5:00 pm on Sunday (New Year’s Day) informing them that someone had drowned. “At this time we do not know whether the children are all related or not. We only know that they know each other and have been enjoying their vacation on the beach. The police went to the location on Kariega Beach together with members of the National Sea Rescue Institute,” he said.
He confirmed that the three children who were pulled out died after extensive Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation efforts were performed.
Search continues for male bodies (9)
“The search for the fourth victim (a 9-year-old boy) continues. The identities of the three children who died will be released after the completion of the official identification process. The police opened inquest dockets for further investigation,” he said.
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In a separate incident, last month, police recovered the body of a man who drowned at the Sol Plaatjie dam in the Free State on another public holiday, the Day of Reconciliation which is celebrated on December 16.
The Welkom Rescue and Divers team retrieved the body from the dam. The deceased was a man between 28 and 30. He was pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Rescue personnel at the scene.