GEORGE NEWS - The search for two young men, aged 20 and 17, who went missing on Saturday 31 August at Victoria Bay is ongoing, according to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

The two reportedly went swimming. 

Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said the NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated by the SA Police Services at 17:55 on Saturday following reports of two swimmers in distress caught in rip currents at Victoria Bay.

"NSRI Wilderness rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene while NSRI crew responded to our NSRI Wilderness station 23 rescue base and launched the NSRI rescue craft Ann Stratford."

Vonk said George Fire and Rescue services and Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue squad and the SA Police Services responded.

"Multiple calls were by that stage being received by eyewitnesses reporting the drowning in progress. On arrival on the scene we found eyewitnesses indicating where two swimmers had disappeared in the surf zone after being swept out to sea by rip currents. An extensive sea and shoreline search revealed no sign of the missing two."

He said search efforts included NSRI rescue swimmers conducting free dive search efforts in the surf zone. 

It was confirmed that a group of six young men had come to swim at Victoria Bay and while swimming the teenager and the young man were caught in rip currents. 

On Sunday, NSRI Wilderness launched rescue craft and deployed free dive rescue swimmers to assist Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) in an ongoing search. 

Also assisting in the search on Sunday were George Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man and of the missing teenager in this difficult time. Police divers (WPDS) are continuing in an ongoing search," said Vonk.

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