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Search continues for swimmer missing at Ballito beach

Published

A man got into difficulty while swimming at the unguarded Salmon Bay beach in Ballito on Saturday morning and went missing. Search teams, including jet skis and a drone, had not found him by Saturday night.

The National Sea Rescue Institute and IPSS Search and Rescue responded to the incident. Lifeguards from the KwaDukuza Municipality also responded.

IPSS Search and Rescue spokesperson Samantha Mayrick said the beach is unprotected and has claimed the lives of numerous swimmers. She urged the public to avoid swimming there.

Mayrick said: "Despite an extensive search and jet skis and a drone, they have been unable to locate the drowning victim at this time."

Key facts

Who
Samantha Mayrick (Spokesperson, IPSS Search and Rescue); IPSS Search and Rescue (Search and rescue organisation responding to the incident); National Sea Rescue Institute (Responded to the incident); KwaDukuza Municipality (Lifeguards responded to the incident)
What
A man got into difficulty while swimming at the unguarded Salmon Bay beach in Ballito on Saturday morning and went missing; search teams, including jet skis and a drone, have not yet located him. IPSS Search and Rescue spokesperson Samantha Mayrick urged the public to avoid swimming at the beach.
When
24 October 2026
Where
Salmon Bay beach, Ballito, KwaDukuza
Status
Reported

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