PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) — A South African club rugby player has drowned and five of his teammates are missing and presumed dead after 21 people were swept out to sea off the country’s south coast.
The National Sea Rescue Institute said Sunday 15 people were rescued after rip currents dragged away the group of swimmers — most of them rugby players — at Blue Water Bay Beach near Port Elizabeth.
The NSRI said the dead man and the five still missing were all members of the local Motherwell Rugby Club. They are all thought to be in their early 20s.
South African Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins called it a “devastating tragedy.”
The sea rescue unit said seven lifeguards swam after the people. None of those rescued required hospital treatment.
