Press Release: For Immediate Release https://lifesaving.co.za/

The New Year of 2026 has begun on a tragic note, with several drowning incidents reported along South Africa’s coastline, deeply affecting families and communities nationwide.

The first two days of January were particularly devastating, beginning with the widely reported mass drowning at Pennington Beach. This was followed by reports of bathers missing at Ballito, Blue Water Bay (Gqeberha), Wedge Beach, South Beach and Country Club Beach (Durban), St Lucia (Jabula Beach), and most recently at Banana Beach on the South Coast, where a fisherman went missing.

Recoveries have since been made in two incidents in Durban and one in Pennington on 6 January 2026. However, search and rescue operations remain ongoing for several other missing persons.

Lifesaving South Africa extends its deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those families who continue to maintain vigils, hoping for the safe return of those still missing.

Despite the exceptionally large numbers of beachgoers across the country during the holiday period, Lifesaving South Africa notes that very few drownings occurred during official lifeguard duty hours. This underscores the critical importance of only swimming at patrolled, lifeguarded beaches and strictly within designated swimming zones. Members of the public are strongly cautioned against entering the water at non-patrolled beaches or outside of lifesavers’ duty hours.

As January remains a high-risk period, Lifesaving South Africa reiterates its water safety advisory, particularly concerning children. While many parents return to work and schools and universities have yet to reopen, supervision of children on holiday becomes increasingly important. The hot weather often encourages children to play in and around water, increasing the risk of accidental drowning.

Parents and caregivers are advised to follow these essential safety measures:

• Adult supervision is required at all times, with very young children kept within arm’s length.
• Residential swimming pools must be secured, including locked gates and pool covers, especially where children are not confident swimmers.
• When children have friends over or attend stayovers, parents should establish swimming abilities and apply appropriate restrictions or supervision.
• Children visiting beaches must be instructed to only swim at lifeguarded beaches and remain between the red and yellow flags.
• At public or private pools, children should be warned against horseplay in the water, as rough play is a common cause of serious incidents.

Dhaya Sewduth of Lifesaving South Africa advises:
“Even an accidental kick to another child’s head can cause them to lose consciousness and sink. If there are no immediate rescue and CPR, such an incident can quickly become a tragedy, adding to fatal drowning statistics.”