UPDATE: 2 young men missing in the surf at Milnerton

All care, compassion and condolences are conveyed to families and friends of a 19 year old local male teenager and a 20 year old local man, who went missing yesterday after, we believe, they had reportedly chased after a soccer ball that landed in the surf while the local soccer team that they are a part of were playing soccer on the beach.

Entering the water at Milnerton's Lagoon Beach, to retrieve the ball, it appears that they were both caught in strong rip currents.

On Monday morning, 22 July, The SA Police Services (SAPS), Tableview Police and SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), responded to North of Milnerton Beach where public members had reported the bodies of 2 men on the beach found during the Spring low tide.

WC Government Health EMS, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement and Community Medics responded to join Police on the scene.

On arrival on the scene the 2 bodies, that may be those of the 2 young men from yesterdays incident at Lagoon Beach, were recovered by Police officers and Police divers and taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

It must be noted that formal identification by families is protocol that has not yet been observed, and we cannot emphasise enough the respect of all care being provided by Police and Forensic Pathology to the families and friends in this sad tragedy that they are facing.

From all emergency services, Police, NSRI, lifeguards and the local Neighbourhood watch and Community groups, who were involved, our hearts are with the families and friends of the deceased in this difficult time.

It has been learned that a Good samaritan surfer, or surfers, and a Good Samaritan, using an NSRI pink rescue buoy, had tried to save the 2 young men. We have not been able to identify them We commend them for their efforts despite the sad outcome.

See original media statement below...

2 young men missing in the surf at Milnerton

In an incident this afternoon - Sunday, 21 July, - NSRI Melkbosstrand, NSRI Table Bay, NSRI Bakoven Milnerton lifeguards, and Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services launched 5 rescue craft to assist in a search operation with the emergency services and Police.

An extensive search was conducted for a 19 year old and a 20 year old - both males - who went missing at Lagoon Beach, Milnerton. It appears that they were part of a local soccer team playing soccer at the beach when they reportedly went into the surf before before being swept out to sea in rip currents.

The EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter and a Metro rescue squad drone team joined in the extensive air, sea and shoreline search.

NSRI rescue swimmers, lifeguards and Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services rescue divers conducted sweeping line search efforts.

Despite the extensive search there remains no sign of the 2 missing young men.

Police divers (SAPS WPDS - Water Policing and Diving Services) are continuing in an ongoing search.

Thoughts are with family of the missing young men in this difficult time