South Africa’s coastal city of Durban has closed its North Beach after three people died when caught in a freak wave.
The emergency medical services “responded to reports of a freak wave that swept a group of beachgoers against the pier, causing multiple injuries” at North Beach, the EMS spokesperson Njabulo Dlungele said in a statement on Sunday night.
At least 17 people were also taken to various medical facilities for treatment after being injured by the wave, Njabulo Dlungele said.
The Emergency Medical Services “responded to reports of a freak wave that swept a group of beachgoers against the pier, causing multiple injuries,” EMS spokesman Njabulo Dlungele said. “Unfortunately, three people, including a teenager, were declared deceased at the scene.”
More than 35 lifeguards participated in rescue efforts, attending to more than 100 people affected by the massive wave, according to the municipality. An investigation has been launched into the incident, the city said. KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has called for a full investigation and will determine what safety measures were in place, South Africa’s Sunday Times cited her spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, as saying, "The details of the incidents are still sketchy. However, it is believed that a freak wave put many people into distress while swimming, and they tragically drowned.
"Seventeen others are reported injured,” Mabaso told the paper The details of the incidents are still sketchy. However, it is believed that a freak wave put many people into distress while swimming, and they tragically drowned. Seventeen others are reported injured,” Mabaso told the paper This year’s festive season is expected to attract many travelers eager to return to the beaches after the years when COVID-19 lockdowns and precautions reduced tourism in Durban.
The port city on South Africa's eastern Indian Ocean coast has been gradually reopening its beaches after some were closed due to high E. coli following devastating floods in parts of the KwaZulu-Natal province earlier this year.
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