Johannesburg – The French Rugby Federation (FFR) said on Wednesday a member of France’s under-18s squad has gone missing after going swimming in the sea in South Africa.
Medhi Narjissi, 17, is part of the squad competing in a youth tournament in Cape Town.
“Wednesday, around 4 pm (1400 GMT), he was taken by a wave, as he and his team-mates were finishing a swim in the sea at the Cape of Good Hope,” the FFR said.
“Emergency services are currently mobilised to find Medhi,” it added.
South African authorities said Narjissi may have been swimming at Diaz Beach, near the Cape of Good Hope, when strong rip currents swept him into the surf zone.
A team-mate who unsuccessfully attempted to rescue him managed to return to shore uninjured, according to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)
“Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager,” NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said.
The search was ongoing, he added.
“Thoughts, care and compassion are with the family, friends and the rugby team of the missing teenager in this difficult time,” Lambinon said.
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Source: AFP
Picture: X/@GauthierBaudin
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