At 2:47pm this afternoon, NSRI Station 26 in Kommetjie received reports of SA Navy submariners experiencing difficulties offshore the coast of Kommetjie, near the Slangkop Lighthouse. Two sailors have passed away, while two others have reportedly been transported to a hospital.
Preliminary reports indicated that the submariners had been washed off the deck of the submarine SAS Manthatisi, but this has yet to be confirmed.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon reports that at 2:47pm, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 26 in Kommetjie received reports of sailors experiencing difficulties offshore of the coast of Kommetjie, near the Slangkop Lighthouse.
According to Lambinon, the alert prompted a response from NSRI Kommetjie, NSRI Simon’s Town, NSRI Table Bay, NSRI Bakoven, the City of Cape Town Water Rescue Network, emergency services, the Western Cape EMS Rescue Squad, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, water policing, dive services, navy command and the South African Air Force.
Upon arriving at the scene, the rescue teams discovered seven navy mariners in distress. Two of the sailors had already succumbed to their injuries, while another two were transported to a nearby hospital.
The remaining four sailors reportedly sustained minimal injuries and were provided with immediate medical attention.
The collaborative efforts of the South African Air Force, the NSRI sea rescue and EMS paramedics are actively involved in the ongoing search and rescue mission.
‘This is an ongoing operation,’ said Lambinon.
As of now, details surrounding the circumstances leading to the incident are limited, and an investigation will likely follow to ascertain the causes and contributing factors.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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