- The unexpected wave swept dozens of bathers out to sea on a tourist beach in Durban.

Image of North Beach, in the Bay of Plenty, one of the most popular in Durban (South Africa). / Google Street View

Three dead and several injured by a giant wave on a South African beach

Three people have died and several were injured this Saturday on a beach in the South African city of Durban (east) due to the impact of a giant wave, according to what the municipal authorities have reported.

The event occurred on North Beach, in the Bay of Plenty, one of the most popular in the tourist city, where the unexpected wave swept dozens of bathers out to sea.

"It took a team of 35 lifeguards to execute a massive rescue effort and another team of paramedics to treat the more than 100 people who were involved in the incident," said a spokesperson for the eThekwini municipality (which includes Durban). , Msawakhe Mayisela, quoted this Sunday by local media.

"Despite the best efforts of the emergency response team, three people lost their lives, and others were taken to hospital. The municipality is saddened by the tragedy and sends its condolences to the families of those who died," the spokesperson added.

Durban, South Africa's third-largest city, has been gradually reopening its beaches after a closure imposed due to high levels of Escherichia coli bacteria from the sewage system, badly damaged by devastating floods last April.

The floods, which forced the South African government to declare a state of national disaster, caused more than 400 deaths and affected some 40,000 people.

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