Officials in South Africa have said that at least nine people have gone missing after their boat capsized in Cape Town.
A search has already commenced following the incident on Thursday morning, between Oudekraal and Mouille Point, on the Cape Town coast.
South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon revealed that an inflatable boat was seen on the sea.
It led officials to suspect that the boat capsized between Clifton and Oudekraal in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Lambinon told local media that several officials were participating in the search operation for at least nine people.
#BoatCapsized one more person has been recovered near Bakoven beach. NSRI’s Craig Lambinon explains the person is being airlifted in a basket JK pic.twitter.com/0kTdW0HJQ7
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 27, 2020
The vessel which was involved in the incident has now been located 3.7km from the coast at Mouille Point and was towed ashore.
A helicopter is also assisting with this search after an inflatable boat capsized off one of Cape Town’s beaches:
Search on for at least 9 missing at sea in Cape Town after boat capsizes https://t.co/BbLqqTCvjQ
@TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/df3NyL8Be5— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) February 27, 2020
Police spokesperson SAPS Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana also revealed later that two boats launched from HoutBay with 13 people but one was filled with water.
He said the crew in that boat jumped over to the other boat but the second boat capsized with all 13 people.
Officials found four people alive but nine are missing.
Two boats launched from #HoutBay with 13 people but 1 filled with water so the crew jumped over to the other boat. 2nd boat capsized with all 13 people. Four found alive, 9 missing, said police spokesperson SAPS Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/vyWEJ444mI
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) February 27, 2020
Meanwhile some of the victims of the incident came ashore and have been receiving medical treatment, according to officials.
Source: Africafeeds.com
