On December 14, a man went missing after drowning at Sedgefield, between Myoli Beach and the Swartvlei River Mouth, in the Western Cape.
On Tuesday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and the Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) has announced that his body was discovered.
"While formal identification of the body is in progress, it is believed that the body located and recovered by Police divers is the 20-year-old Eastern Cape man that went missing while swimming at Sedgefield on Saturday, December 14," said the NSRI.
The WC Government Health EMS and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services responded to the scene. Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services took charge of the deceased man's body.
"Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man," added the NSRI.
With the number of drownings seemingly increasing, the NSRI cautioned beachgoers to be cautious when near or in the water.
"NSRI, Police, lifeguards and the emergency services are appealing to bathers, boaters, sailors, paddlers, shoreline anglers and coastal hikers to be cautious as the full moon Spring tide."
Following a series of events around the coast and inland, the NSRI recommended the public to swim at lifeguard-protected beaches.
The lifeguards, police, and emergency services also encouraged the public to swim at lifeguard-protected beaches.
"Always have safety top of mind in and around coastal waters, on inland waters, rivers, lakes and dams, and your swimming pool at home should be cloaked in preventative safety measures," said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
IOL