Cape Town – Social media is flooded with tributes following the tragic loss of South African Navy crew members during a submarine operation in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Three crew members, including Lieutenant Gillain Malouw, the first woman in Africa to navigate a submarine, were tragically killed.
The incident occurred off the coast of the town of Kommetjie, as an army submarine en route to Cape Town staged a refuelling operation at sea.
The operation involved a helicopter dropping off supplies, but that went awry when strong waves lashed the submarine.
“High waves swept away seven crew members out to sea,” said the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The rough conditions adversely affected rescue attempts.
Lieutenant Gillian Malouw, the first woman to navigate a submarine in the SA Navy and one of the few in Africa, died during this exercise yesterday. She was 32. A mother, a wife, a friend and a trailblazer. Her family is devastated, so am I https://t.co/zXjgUGLb3L
— Vauldi Carelse (@vauldicarelse) September 21, 2023
“All seven members were recovered but sadly there were three fatalities with one senior officer in critical condition,” said the army in a statement.
The South African National Defence Union, a trade union for the military, also confirmed the “navy exercise” incident and the casualties.
The Cape Peninsula is home to South Africa’s largest naval base, Simon’s Town.
The South African navy is to hold a series of parades and exercises in Cape Town from Saturday to Monday, with the public invited to board ships and a submarine.
Lieutenant Malouw, who had a passion for the maritime industry since childhood, was based at the Simon’s Town naval base, IOL reported.
She had shared her aspirations of achieving great accomplishments in her career.
Tributes and condolences have been pouring in on social media, with friends and family expressing their grief and admiration for her remarkable character and achievements.
“Your loss will be felt for years to come because you left your mark on this world and in everyone’s minds and lives my girl,” shared Bronwyn Nel.
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Picture: Twitter/@shanemooi
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
