The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in East London have issued a shark warning to bathers along the stretch of coastline between East London and North of Chinsta – after a bodyboarder went missing and what appears to be shark teeth marks were found on his board.
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On Wednesday, 14 April NSRI said in a statement that they are assisting police in the search for a local 38-year-old man who went bodyboarding on Tuesday.
“The SA Police Services, Police K-9 Search and Rescue and a Police Dive Unit are engaged in a search operation and they are joined by a private helicopter (volunteered to assist in a search by a local businessman), the EC Government Health EMS rescue helicopter and friends of the missing man, who have launched boats to assist in the Police search,” said NSRI.
His board, with what appears to be bite marks from a shark, washed up on the shore
The man went out into the surfline at Chinsta early in the day and later on his board, with what appears to be bite marks from a shark, washed up on the shore. There has been no sign of the man since.
NSRI and BCMM (Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality) warned beach-goers to be extra cautious along that specific coastline until they have more information.
“Although at this early stage a shark incident cannot be confirmed this public warning is carried on the assumption that this incident may be shark related and caution is advised.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area of Chinsta Beach on Tuesday at around 11h00 to come forward if they may have noticed anything that may be related to this case and we are appealing to public members that use that stretch of coastline to keep a look out,” they said.
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