Cape Town - Rough seas have halted the search for a missing French school rugby player, who is feared drowned after being swept away in a rip current at Diaz Beach, Cape Point.
Medhi Narjissi, 17, was part of the under-18 schools rugby squad. They were visiting Diaz Beach when he was swept out to sea on Wednesday.
Police called off the search as the weather conditions were severe.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon said all thoughts, care and compassion were with the family, friends and French U18 schools rugby squad.
“We believe members of the rugby squad may have been swimming at Diaz Beach when strong rip currents swept the teenager into the surf zone. At 3.16pm, the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre was contacted by TMNP (Table Mountain National Parks) rangers reporting a person in difficulty in the water at Diaz Beach, Cape Point.
“From a vantage point above the cliffs, the TMNP rangers reported it appeared that one person had come ashore but the second person may have disappeared in the water.
“While raising the alarm TMNP rangers were responding to the scene, below the cliffs of Cape point main parking area, to investigate,” Lambinon said.
“A teenage male friend reported to have attempted to rescue his teammate from the surf zone had managed to reach the shore and he was not injured. The WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were alerted.
“Four rescue craft, the Skymed rescue helicopter and shoreline rescue crews, conducted extensive search efforts for the teenager.
“There were 3 to 4-metre swells and a 15 knot northerly wind,” Lambinon explained.
“Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager.
“An EMS Metro rescue squad is on alert to assist police in the ongoing search.
“French authorities and authorities of the City of Cape Town tourism are assisting with counselling and logistics.”
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said the search for Medhi was called off temporarily due to poor sea conditions (strong wind and rough sea).
“The search will continue when conditions improve.”
The French Rugby Federation said it had learnt with great distress that Medhi, Stade Toulouse player, travelling to South Africa to compete in the International Series with the French men’s under-18 team, had disappeared.
“Pending ongoing research, the French Rugby Federation has approached Medhi’s family and is supporting the U-18 team and its supervisors on site…”
SA Rugby Union president Mark Alexander said that they offered support to the French rugby team and the family of the 17-year-old player.
“The young player was a member of the French U18 team which is in South Africa to contest a tournament with the hosts, England, Ireland and Georgia. Mehdi was on an outing with the squad when the incident occurred.
“We cannot begin to comprehend the sorrow the family must be feeling at this moment. The entire rugby fraternity stands with you. This devastating news has been felt deeply across the rugby community here in South Africa and around the world.”
Alexander said that SA Rugby had offered every support it could to the French team and Mehdi’s family, who are en route to South Africa.
“The impact on the scheduling of the tournament – which kicks off at Stellenberg High School in Cape Town on Monday – has not been determined.”
Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Sithole-Mzulwini, on 021 786 8663/079 894 1302 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za