On a tragic Friday, a fishing boat carrying 20 fishermen capsized approximately 30 nautical miles off Slangkop Point. The calamity struck unexpectedly, leading to immediate distress and a race against time to save the lives of those on board.
Upon receiving the distress signal, rescue teams mobilized swiftly, launching a comprehensive search and rescue operation. Within hours, nine of the fishermen were found and rescued, fortunately unharmed, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the unfolding tragedy.
The initial rescue efforts, while successful for the nine fishermen, left the whereabouts of the remaining 11 shrouded in uncertainty and fear. As the weekend progressed, search operations intensified, involving multiple maritime and aerial assets, all working in concert to scan the vast, unforgiving ocean.
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Despite the relentless efforts and the deployment of significant resources, the search concluded without locating the missing fishermen, marking a sombre end to the weekend’s endeavours.
Families and communities were left grappling with the heartbreaking news, their hopes dashed by the unyielding reality of the ocean’s expanse. Concurrently, an ongoing investigation aims to uncover the root cause of the incident, seeking to provide answers and prevent future tragedies.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis recently visited the families of the 11 missing fishermen, extending their deepest condolences and demonstrating solidarity with the grieving communities.
During the visit, Mayor Hill-Lewis expressed heartfelt sorrow, stating, “We mourn with the families of the missing fishermen and honour their contributions to our community. Their loss is felt deeply by all of us.”
His words resonated with the families, providing a semblance of comfort amidst their profound grief.
The presence of both Winde and Hill-Lewis underscored the significance of this tragedy, not just to the immediate families but to the broader communities of Cape Town and Malmesbury.
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