Tragedy has struck the French u/18 schools rugby squad after one of their team members went missing at sea at Diaz Beach, near Cape Point, on Wednesday afternoon.

The National Sea Rescue Institute says it’s believed the members of the rugby squad may have been swimming at Diaz Beach when strong rip currents swept the teenager into the surf zone.

He has been identified as 17-year-old Medhi Narjissi, who was part of the squad competing in a youth tournament in Cape Town.

The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon says their Emergency Operations Centre was contacted at 15h16 on Wednesday by TMNP (Table Mountain National Parks) rangers reporting that they suspected there to be a person in difficulty in the water at Diaz Beach.

From a vantage point above the cliffs, the rangers reported that it appeared that two people were in the surf zone in rip currents. One person managed to make it to shore, but the second person disappeared in the water.

It is reported that Narjissi’s friend attempted to rescue him, but he was unsuccessful and managed to make it the the shore.

While raising the alarm, TMNP rangers responded to the scene, below the cliffs of Cape point main parking area, to investigate.

The City of Cape Town’s water rescue network, NSRI Simonstown and NSRI Hout Bay duty crews were then activated.

Cape Medical Response dispatched an ambulance, a rescue vehicle and a paramedic response vehicle. Police divers and an EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was also deployed.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says conditions on the scene were 3 to 4 meter swells and a 15 knot Northerly wind.

‘Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager. Police WPDS attended at the scene and Police divers are continuing in an ongoing search. An EMS Metro rescue squad are on alert to assist Police in the ongoing search.’

French authorities and authorities from the City of Cape Town’s tourism department are assisting with counselling and logistics.

Amidst the tragedy, the U18 International Series in Cape Town is scheduled to begin on Monday 12 August, where France will face hosts South Africa as well as England and Georgia.