THREE people, including a teenager, were swept off to sea by rip currents at Durban’s North Beach yesterday while 17 people were injured and treated on the scene for minor to serious injuries before being taken to hospital.
According KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mckenzie, they responded to the incident on Saturday afternoon on the eThekwini Bay of Plenty Beach where a freak wave washed people out to sea.
“Three people drowned, and 17 people were treated and transported to hospital. This, after a freak wave hit bathers at the Durban beachfront,” he said.
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According to eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela, a team of 35 lifeguards executed a mass rescue effort, and another team of paramedics attended to the more than 100 people who were involved in the incident.
“Despite the best efforts of the emergency response team, three people lost their lives, with others needing to be transported to hospital,” said the spokesperson.
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Mayisela added that the eThekwini Municipality is saddened by the tragedy and sends its condolences to the families of the deceased.
