Three Dead Off Mossel Bay After Five Go Overboard

Three bodies were recovered after five people went overboard roughly 47 nautical miles off the Mossel Bay coast on Wednesday evening. Two people are still missing.

The incident took place in the Indian Ocean near the PetroSA offshore platform, about 90 kilometres from the South African coast. South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) activated the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, which dispatched helicopters and sea rescue teams. Two of the recovered bodies were flown to George Airport, according to the Mossel Bay Advertiser, while a third reached Mossel Bay by sea.

SAMSA said it could not release details about the vessel or the circumstances while the operation remained active.

The waters along South Africa's south coast carry more traffic than usual right now. After Houthi forces completed the Bab el-Mandeb takeover in mid-September, Cape Route vessel traffic around the Eastern Cape reached record levels as container ships and tankers switched away from the Red Sea. The search was still active at the time of reporting.