Search continues for two men off coast of Port St Johns

The search for two men understood to be members of the South African Defence Force who were reported missing in the sea off the coast of Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape continued on Sunday.

Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search on Saturday no sign was found of the men who are feared to have drowned‚ the National Sea Rescue Institute said.

It said SA Air Force helicopter had conducted a night search and continued a search from first light on Sunday‚ together with the SA Police Services‚ Eastern Cape Government Health Emergency Management Services‚ SANDF members and a police dive unit.

“It appears that while swimming one man got into difficulty in the surf and according to reports a man went into the surf to attempt to assist but he too got into difficulty and eye-witnesses reported both men disappeared under water.

 “Both men are believed to be SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members. One is from Pretoria and one is from Oudtshoorn‚ and they were off duty at the time from military exercises that are taking place in the area‚” the NSRI said.