Cape Town – A 92-year-old woman tragically lost her life during a spring high tide that caused significant damage to restaurants, homes, and cars along the Eastern and Western Cape coasts.
Several beaches in the Western Cape, including Gordon’s Bay, Stilbaai, Mossel Bay, and Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town, were forced to close due to the powerful spring tide.
According to News24, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) reported widespread damage, including sand dune erosion and structural damage to businesses like The Brass Bell restaurant in Kalk Bay.
A 92-year-old woman lost her life after being swept off her feet by a crashing wave in Leentjiesklip, Wilderness, while another man required hospitalisation, the report said.
🔴VIDEO🔴 Today, Bikini Beach in Gordon’s Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape experienced a momentary wave of panic as spring high tide posed a threat to several vehicles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in this startling incident. A supplied video captured the intensity of the… pic.twitter.com/GwhONwwoZN
— Central News (@centralnewsza) September 16, 2023
“There has been quite widespread damage across the coastline, including sand dune erosion, structural damage, and we’ve learnt that NSRI Wilderness and paramedics were at a scene in Leentjiesklip, [Wilderness], yesterday (Saturday) afternoon where a 92-year-old female had sadly passed away,” the report quoted NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon as saying.
“Our understanding is that she was swept off her feet by a wave that crashed into a car park, also causing cars to be swept along.”
Lambinon has cautioned that there is a potential for another spring high tide during Sunday afternoon, The Citizen reported.
“We are going to have another spring high tide starting to rise from two or three o’ clock on Sunday afternoon and peak between about 4pm and 5pm also depending where you are around the coastline.
“We are appealing to the public to monitor the South African Weather Services alerts. Be cautious, don’t take unnecessary risks or put yourself in unnecessary danger,” Lambinon said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Screenshot
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
