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President Jacob Zuma has sent his heartfelt condolences to the family of one of the Cape St Francis fishermen who has been confirmed dead.
Eight fishermen, who were aboard the fishing vessel Maredon, went missing during the early hours of Sunday morning in the Cape St Francis vicinity in the Western Cape.
The vessel, with a crew of 16 people, capsized on Sunday morning and the search was called off due to bad weather later that afternoon.
Seven survivors were recovered on shore at Sunset Rocks of which 6 were hospitalised. Eight crew members are still missing.
Zuma conveyed his words of support to the families of the missing fishermen and encouraged the National Sea Rescue Institute team to not abandon the search until the fishermen were found.
Search efforts entered a fourth day today with more volunteers joining in after the search area was extended. The coastline of Jeffreys Bay has been included in the area to be combed.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Majola Nkohli on Wednesday said that various services were taking part in the search.
“It is believed that the strong current and wind conditions caused it to capsize,” Nkohli said.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana is expected to visit the families this week.
“We are saddened and are supportive of all the rescue operations to locate the remaining crew and fishers.
“The department has deployed a team to the Eastern Cape to support the operation,” department spokesperson Carol Moses said.
- Additional reporting News24
