Briton dies in Cape Town sinking
A man from South Wales, UK, has died after a tour boat capsized off Hout Bay, near Cape Town, South Africa, in an accident that also killed one of the South African tour guides. Maritime officials, including the South African Marine Safety Authority, are investigating what caused the catamaran Miroshga – which had been taking tourists on a whale-watching trip – to sink, leaving 36 people stranded in the water, although it is currently believed that the boat was struck by a large wave. Three women, two of whom are Britons, were trapped beneath the upturned boat for nearly four hours while police divers provided breathing apparatus and emergency coaching so that they could swim out to safety.
A man from South Wales, UK, has died after a tour boat capsized off Hout Bay, near Cape Town, South Africa, in an accident that also killed one of the South African tour guides. Maritime officials, including the South African Marine Safety Authority, are investigating what caused the catamaran Miroshga – which had been taking tourists on a whale-watching trip – to sink, leaving 36 people stranded in the water, although it is currently believed that the boat was struck by a large wave. Three women, two of whom are Britons, were trapped beneath the upturned boat for nearly four hours while police divers provided breathing apparatus and emergency coaching so that they could swim out to safety.
The deceased Briton’s wife and daughter were also involved in the incident, but survived with minor injuries, and the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said: “We are aware of a boat capsizing in Hout Bay near Cape Town on Saturday afternoon. We can confirm the death of a British National in this incident. Several British Nationals were also hospitalised following the incident, most of whom have now been released. Our Consul General went to the port immediately after the incident and we are providing consular assistance to all those that need it.”