Lifesaving SA reports 15 drowning and missing-swimmer incidents in October - IOL

During October 2026, Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) received several reported drowning incidents, missing swimmers and aquatic emergencies across South Africa.

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) is concerned about a series of reported drowning incidents, missing swimmers and aquatic emergencies across South Africa during October 2026.

LSA Media Officer Dhaya Sewduth said reports received during the month include fatal and non-fatal incidents at beaches, rivers, dams, lagoons and other aquatic environments. Several search operations have also been conducted for missing swimmers.

• 1 October – Mtunzini Main Beach, KwaZulu-Natal: A swimmer was reported missing after reportedly being caught in a rip current. An extensive search was conducted, but no recovery to date.

• 1 October – Kromme River Mouth, Eastern Cape: A swimmer was reported missing. No recovery to date.

• 3 October – Cape Vidal Beach, KwaZulu-Natal: A swimmer was reported missing, with no recovery reported. Another swimmer was rescued, treated and subsequently released.

• 4 October – Glen Beach, Cape Town, Western Cape: A swimmer was reported missing. No recovery had been reported at the time of the information supplied.

• 5 October – Camps Bay, Western Cape: A child drowned in a tidal pool. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

• 5 October – Treasure Beach, south of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal: An adult male fisherman was reportedly believed to have drowned. An extensive search was conducted, but the body had been recovered at the time of reporting.

• 10 October – Kleinmond Beach Lagoon, Western Cape: A child drowned. Bystanders and emergency personnel were unable to revive the child.

• 16 October – Mlumati River, Schoemansdal, Nkomazi, Mpumalanga: The body of a child was recovered. The exact date and time of the incident had not been established.

• 18 October – Jabula Beach, St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal: A swimmer was reported missing in a suspected drowning incident. No recovery was reported.

• 18 October – Alkanstrand, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal: A swimmer was reported missing while attempting to rescue another swimmer in distress. The latter swimmer reached shore safely.

• 18 October – Muldersdrift, Gauteng: A child drowned at a dam. Police divers recovered the child's body.

• 19 October – Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal: A drowning incident was reported in a river. According to the information supplied by SAPS Search and Rescue, a body had been recovered by 24 October.

• 22 October – Kidson Weir, Henley-on-Klip, Gauteng: Two men drowned in a river. The body of one man was recovered on 23 October, while the search for the second man continued.

• 24 October – Salmon Bay, Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal: A swimmer was reported missing. No recovery had been reported at the time of the information supplied.

• 24 October – Lentjieklip Beach, Wilderness, Western Cape: An adult drowned while attempting to rescue swimmers caught in rip currents. Two teenagers were rescued by a bystander.

“We urge the public to avoid swimming at beaches where lifeguards are not on duty and to obey all warning signs, safety flags, lifeguard instructions and beach closures. Members of the public are also reminded not to enter dangerous water to rescue someone unless they have the appropriate training and equipment,” Sewduth said.

He advised that where possible, alert lifeguards or emergency services and use safer rescue methods, such as reaching the person from a safe position or throwing flotation equipment to the person in distress.

Sewduth said young children must be actively supervised around water at all times and kept within arm’s reach. This applies to beaches, swimming pools, dams, rivers, lagoons and tidal pools.

“Parents and caregivers should never assume that a child is safe simply because the waterappears shallow or calm. Conditions can change, and drowning can occur quickly and silently,” he said.

Sewduth said as temperatures rise and more people seek relief from the heat at beaches and other aquatic environments, LSA urges the public to remain vigilant and make responsible decisions around water.

He said LSA reiterates its key safety message: Swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty.

“Drowning incidents are often preventable. Respecting water conditions, following safety instructions and choosing supervised swimming locations can help reduce the risk of further tragedies,” he said.