Grim find as bodies wash up on shore

EASTERN Cape tourists made a gruesome discovery yesterday morning when they stumbled upon the bodies of two people believed to have drowned at Qolora-by-Sea in Centane.

This takes to five the number of bodies that have washed up in Qolora-by-Sea alone since the festive season started.

Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said the two deceased are believed to be aged 12 and 19.

“We are appealing to the community to come forward and identify the two male bodies,” said Manatha.

On Thursday, the Eastern Cape police released information that three people were presumed to have drowned at Qolora-by-Sea. Two young women’s bodies were retrieved while a 12-year-old boy believed to have drowned, is still missing.

The discovery of the two bodies yesterday had made it six people who have drowned between Centane and Kentonon-Sea this week alone.

Two are still missing, including a 19-year-old who went missing at the Nahoon Beach in East London on Wednesday evening.

Manatha said any person who is looking for a relative, can contact Centane police.

“Inquest dockets have been opened for further investigation. Relatives can also come and identify the bodies at Butterworth forensic mortuary. The total number of people who have been found washed up at Qolorha-by-Sea beach, now stands at five,” said Manatha.

The hike in the number of drownings comes as thousands of holidaymakers are flocking to beaches.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has released a warning on the danger rip currents posed to bathers.

Meanwhile, authorities have identified people swimming while under the influence of alcohol as one of the contributing factors to drownings around this time of the year.

Centane police can be contacted on 047-498-1066. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za