RESCUES / 3 JANUARY 2026

21 year old missing in Umkomaas

At 12h24, Friday, 2 January, NSRI Rocky Bay, Police Search and Rescue, IPSS Medical Rescue, lifeguards, Metro Police Search and Rescue and the SA Police Services were activated and responded to reports from Gladiator Security of a drowning in progress at Umkomaas.

The KZN surf rescue network was alerted.

Upon arrival at the scene, we found that an unidentified Good Samaritan had rescued a 16-year-old male; he was not injured.

The teenager's 21-year-old brother remained missing in the surf zone.

Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search, there remains no sign of the missing man.

Police Search and Rescue are tasked with continuing the ongoing search efforts.

It appears that the brothers, from Dlangezwa, KZN, were swimming when they were caught in strong rip currents.

Thoughts and care are with the family of the missing man in this difficult time.