A young man has drowned and three teenagers are still missing after the friends ran into trouble at a Sea Point beach on Sunday afternoon.
Divers from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) went out into the water after surfers discovered the male victim.
Despite efforts to resuscitate the man, they were unable to revive him.
On Sunday evening, divers were still trying to find the three friends, believed to be two boys, aged 16, and a 15-year-old girl.
A group of about 10 youngsters, believed to be African foreign nationals, had visited the Rocklands Beach in Beach Road, Sea Point, on Sunday, when the alarm was raised.
As the NSRI set about their search and rescue operation, the traumatised laaities sat huddled on the steps leading to the beach, which was cordoned off by authorities.
TRAUMA: Laaities wait as divers search for friends. Picture: Leon Knipe
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, confirmed the fatality.
“One male, believed to be aged in his early 20s, was discovered by surfers and an NSRI rescue swimmer swam out to them,” he said.
“CPR was initiated and on the arrival of the first sea rescue craft, that casualty was taken onboard the NSRI rescue craft. He was taken to the Three Anchor-slipway where paramedics conducted CPR.
“Sadly, after all efforts were exhausted, he was declared deceased.
“Two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old female remain missing in the surf.”
“An extensive air, sea and shoreline search continues.”