Divers recover body of 22-year-old man off KZN south coast
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) on Tuesday said its Shelly Beach crew was activated at around 1.30pm on Monday after eyewitness reports of a body floating in the surf zone offshore at Southbroom's Main Beach.
'A search by police divers for the missing Durban man, assisted by police K9 search and rescue, NSRI Shelly Beach and NSRI Port Edward was ongoing since Thursday last week,' it said.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the Shelly Beach rescue craft Spirit of Dawn, accompanied by police divers, was launched.
'On arrival at the scene, the body of an adult man was located and recovered from the water by police divers and brought onboard the NSRI rescue craft,' he said.
The body was taken into the care of forensic pathology and police, said Lambinon.
'The family of the 22-year-old man were attended to at the NSRI rescue base by police and forensics authorities. Formal identification of the man is being arranged with the family, in accordance with formal protocols.
'An inquest docket has been opened by police.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
4 days ago
- The South African
Teenager on school outing missing at Durban beach
A search operation is underway at Wedge Beach in Durban after a 16-year-old male teenager was reported missing in the surf zone on Friday evening, 8 August. According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the teenager was believed to be part of a local school outing when he went missing around 18:08. The NSRI Durban duty crew, KZN Surf Rescue Network, Police Search and Rescue, Metro Police Search and Rescue, and the SA Police Services responded swiftly to the scene. The NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski 6 was launched, and an extensive sea and shoreline search was conducted throughout the night. Despite their efforts, no sign of the missing teen has been found. The search resumed on Saturday morning and remains ongoing. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, and the SAPS have launched an investigation. 'Thoughts, care and compassion are with the family and friends of the missing teenager during this incredibly difficult time,' the NSRI said in a statement. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact local authorities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- IOL News
Fishermen warned to follow safety protocols after shark-related deaths on KZN's south coast
Strinivasan Pillay, 54, from Queensburgh, died from a heart attack due to the strain he suffered, while he was reeling in a shark at Ansteys Beach on the Bluff. Image: Supplied AUTHORITIES have warned fishermen to heed safety protocols while the shark nets have been removed for the sardine run. This was after two fishermen died in separate shark-related incidents along KZN's south coast. One fisherman was killed in a shark attack, while he was fishing in a shoal of sardines. Another allegedly had a heart attack, while trying to pull a 50kg shark to shore. Last Friday, a 37-year-old fisherman disappeared under water after a shark appeared, while he was fishing near a school of sardines along the coastline of Mfazazana near Hibberdene with two of his friends. His body, which appeared to have shark bite wounds, was recovered on Sunday by the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue units, the SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Shelly Beach. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Members of the National Sea Rescue Institute searched for the shark bite victim Image: Supplied 'It was reported that three local fishermen were in the water near a school of sardines. One man disappeared under water after a shark appeared to surface where the man was fishing. One of the friends attempted to intervene, but it is believed he was confronted by at least two sharks, and he retreated to the shoreline. It is believed the sharks were feeding on the school of sardines at the time,' said the NSRI in a statement. A week ago, Strinivasan Pillay, 54, from Queensburgh, died from a heart attack due to the strain he suffered, while he was reeling in a shark at Ansteys Beach on the Bluff. His son, Santhan Pillay, who lives in Miami, Florida, said his father died while doing what he loved. 'He had been fishing for the past 45 years. The other fisherman and my family told me that he passed away while fighting a shark on the other end of the rod line. He already had three stents put in 10 years ago. "My mum and dad went to the beach together and he hooked the shark on his first throw. While fighting the shark, he collapsed and passed on. I believe the adrenaline rush caused the heart attack,' he added. He said this was not the first time his dad had caught a shark. 'The shark weighed 50kg and caused him strain, but this was not the first time he had hooked a shark. Over the past four fishing outings, he hooked big sharks and other fish. He passed away while pursuing his favorite hobby. It is bitter-sweet to me,' said Pillay. Jace Govender, the superintendent of south coast beaches for eThekwini, urged fishermen to be cautious as the shark nets have been removed due to the sardine run. Regarding the man who was bitten by the shark, Govender said: 'The shark did not go to attack him. He was a local fisherman and in the wrong place at the wrong time. Both the shark and the fisherman were hunting the sardines. Sharks do not go hunting people. That is not their nature. They were there to feed on the sardines and the sea is their territory. The shark did nothing wrong. When we enter the water during sardine season, we know the risks and we understand and accept the responsibility of it." He further cautioned fishermen, with underlying health conditions, like Pillay, from fishing during hot weather conditions and catching larger species of fish. 'Mr Pillay had a medical issue and underlying conditions, and the excessive strain he faced while trying to land the shark allegedly led to his death. Fishing is straining, especially when you hook a big fish. Fatigue from the sun and not being hydrated are factors that can lead to people with underlying health conditions becoming sick. 'We advise older fisherfolk with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure, to get advice from a doctor before they fish, or do any extreme sport. We also suggest that they target smaller species and fish close to areas where there are lifeguards who can render assistance should they fall ill,' Govender added. THE POST
TimesLIVE
08-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Body of missing Mfazazana fisherman recovered after suspected shark attack
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has confirmed the body of a 37-year-old fisherman who went missing in a suspected shark attack off Mfazazana near Hibberdene on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast has been recovered. 'On Sunday during ongoing search and recovery operations, police K9 search and rescue and water policing and diving services (WPDS) located and recovered the body of a man believed to be that of a man who went missing in the sea on Friday afternoon in an apparent shark incident,' said the NSRI. While the body showed 'obvious shark wounds that are being investigated' formal identification processes are under way. The man was reported missing on Friday after a dramatic incident in the ocean involving three fishermen. The group had been in the water near a school of sardines when a shark reportedly surfaced where the missing man was fishing. According to the NSRI, one of the friends tried to intervene but was forced to retreat when confronted by at least two sharks. 'It is believed the sharks were feeding on the school of sardines,' the NSRI said. This prompted police and diving teams from WPDS with K9 search and rescue units to launch a search on Friday but were unable to locate the man. The search resumed on Saturday, with assistance from the NSRI Shelly Beach crew and culminated in the recovery of the body on Sunday. An inquest docket has been opened by police. Shark Spotters, a marine safety and conservation group, said the incident highlights the real but rare danger posed by sharks in South African waters. 'Since records started for South Africa in 1905, there have been a total of 248 unprovoked attacks. Of these, most have occurred in the Eastern Cape with 103 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 90 cases and the Western Cape with 55 cases,' the organisation said. They noted three species, the great white, bull (Zambezi) and tiger sharks, are responsible for most shark attacks in South African waters. '2015 saw the highest number of unprovoked shark attacks recorded in a year, with 98 attacks and six deaths. Though shark attacks occur throughout the world, the US, Australia and South Africa remain the main hotspots,' said Shark Spotters.
