Update:
The search for 17-year-old French rugby player Medhi Narjissi, who was swept out to sea at Cape Point on Wednesday, continues as rescue teams intensify their efforts on Thursday.
Toulouse confirmed Thursday that Narjissi’s family has been notified and, with help from SA Rugby and the French Rugby Federation, efforts are underway to bring them to the scene.
The U18 International Series, featuring teams from England, Georgia, and Ireland, is set to begin at Stellenberg High School on 12 August.
Narjissi is the son of Djalil Narjissi, the former Moroccan national captain and hooker for French Top 14 club Agen.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander on Thursday offered his support.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to the family and the French rugby community for the tragic loss of Medhi,’ he said.
‘We cannot begin to comprehend the sorrow the family must be feeling at this moment. Please know that the entire rugby fraternity stands with you in mourning the loss of Medhi. This devastating news has been felt deeply across the rugby community here in South Africa and around the world.’
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that the French national team had visited the Cape Point Nature Reserve on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before the incident occurred.
‘While at the reserve in the restricted area, some of the boys decided to take a swim,” he said.”One of the boys, a 17-year-old, experienced difficulty while in the water. Another boy went in to rescue him but was unable to recover him.’
Van Wyk stated that the search was called off Wednesday evening due to poor visibility but resumed Thursday morning.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) confirmed ongoing search efforts, with spokesperson Craig Lambinon noting that despite extensive sea, air, and shoreline searches, there was still no sign of the missing teenager.
On Wednesday afternoon, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) confirmed that a player in France’s under-18s squad had gone missing after swimming in a Cape Town beach, reports Cape {town} Etc.
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The 17-year-old teenager, Medhi Narjissi, formed part of a squad competing in a youth tournament taking place in the Cape.
The incident took place in the sea at the Cape of Good Hope. He had been taken in by a wave, as he and his team-mates were swimming.
Narjissi’s disappearance has been confirmed by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI.)
In a statement, the NSRI confirmed suspicion that the squad had been swimming at Diaz Beach, when strong rip currents resulted in the teenager being swept deeper into the ocean.
The NSRI Emergency Operations Centre was contacted by the rangers of Table Mountain National Parks around 3pm on Wednesday afternoon, as it was suspected that someone was in danger.
The City of Cape Town water rescue network, NSRI Simonstown and NSRI Hout Bay duty crews began operations.
An ambulance, a rescue vehicle and a paramedic response vehicle was made available by the Cape Medical Response.
In totality, four rescue crafts had been launched by the NSRI.
SAPS, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter as well as a rescue driver also became involved in the ongoing search.
One of the victim’s friends attempted to save his teammate. Though his efforts were unsuccessful, he fortunately managed to reach the shore without being injured.
Extensive search efforts were undertaken to locate the teenager, reports News24.
Despite all hands being on board, there is no sign of the missing rugby player.
The search remains ongoing.
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Picture: Sebastian Voortman / Pexels
