News24 | American tourist missing after being swept out to sea at Cape Point

Police divers are searching for an American tourist who went missing while swimming at Cape Point.

Police divers are searching for an American tourist who went missing while swimming in Cape Town.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute’s Simonstown station commander, Darren Zimmerman, reports were received just after 18:00 on Wednesday of a drowning in progress at Diaz Beach, Cape Point.

The tourist was reportedly exiting the water when he was swept off his feet and pulled out to sea.

“It appears that on their final day of vacation in Cape Town, the missing man and family members had visited Cape Point,” said Zimmerman.

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The man and a male relative had considered swimming at Diaz Beach. But upon entering the water, the relative, who is a firefighter in the US, realised the strength of the currents and advised that they get out.

“We believe they were in shin-deep water, attempting to retreat... when the missing man was swept off his feet. He was caught in rip currents and swept out to sea before disappearing,” Zimmerman said.

Emergency rescue teams responded and began searching for the 37-year-old American man who was missing in the surf zone.

“Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search that continued after dark, there remain no signs of the missing man,” Zimmerman added.

Police will continue search efforts, he said.