Thousands of visitors and locals visited Durban beaches to escape the heat and take a dip in the water over the Christmas long weekend.
The Festive Season Management Committee (FESMAC) has reported that although the beaches were packed to capacity, the crowd was generally well behaved and not many incidents were reported.
Between Christmas Eve and Sunday, 28 December 2014, over 566 566 people visited various beaches around the Municipal area, 248 rescues were carried out and 1780 people received first aid for different medical reasons.
A mass rescue of approximately 150 people was carried out at Wedge Beach when the sand bank collapsed due to an incoming high tide. One person died at the scene. In a separate incident a 26-year old male was reported to have drowned at Cutting Beach in Merebank on Christmas Day. It should be noted that Cutting Beach is not a bathing beach and there is signage to reflect this.
Approximately 13 909 armbands were issued to children coming to the beach. About 257 children were separated from their guardians and all have been re-united with their families. Guardians are urged to ensure that children are under adult supervision at all times, when at the beach.
The fun and festivities are still continuing in Durban, with more people still expected to arrive in the City to enjoy the New Year celebrations. Beachgoers are advised to only swim within the designated areas and to co-operate with lifeguards. The beachfront is there for everyone to enjoy. Beachgoers are advised to adhere to all the rules and by-laws of the City to ensure a safe and enjoyable festive season for all.
