A weekend outing turned tragic when two teenagers lost their lives after being swept out to sea by rip currents at De Bakke Beach in Mossel Bay.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), emergency crews were activated on Saturday afternoon following reports of a drowning in progress. Rescue swimmers and a rescue craft were dispatched, supported by police, paramedics and local emergency services.

A Good Samaritan on a bodyboard managed to reach an 18-year-old woman and bring her to safety, where paramedics attempted to resuscitate her. Despite extensive CPR efforts, she was declared dead at the scene.

A 15-year-old boy, who had been swimming with a group of friends, disappeared in the surf after being caught in the same rip current. A large-scale search operation involving rescue swimmers, drones, and police divers continued into the night.

On Sunday morning, police divers recovered a body in the search area, believed to be that of the missing teenager. Formal identification is underway.

Authorities say an inquest has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. The NSRI has extended its condolences to the families and friends of the two teenagers.