Six South African rugby players are feared to have drowned after being swept away by rough seas and strong currents while on a post-practice swim.
John Fletcher, co-ordinator for the Coastal Water Rescue Squad, said his volunteers rescued 15 players, but were unable to resuscitate one of the men, and five remained missing. He said strong winds created the rough conditions on the water when the accident happened on Sunday.
Capt Andre Beegte, a police spokesman, said helicopters were being used as the search continued on Monday. Searchers patrolled the coastline on horses and all-terrain vehicles, and police divers also were called in, Beegte said.
Mncedisi Mazomba, player-manager for the Motherwell Rugby Football Club, in south-eastern South Africa, said city officials had arranged counselling for relatives of the dead and missing.
He said the team was formed in 1992 as an outlet for boys and young men from Port Elizabeth's Motherwell Township. It kept them away from crime and other dangers, he said. The club had three teams that played other minor league teams along South Africa's eastern coast, and even travelled as far as Cape Town, on the western coast.
Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union, sent his condolences. "To have their afternoon turn into a day of tragedy is shocking for the whole rugby community and our thoughts go out to their family," Hoskins said.
