Cape Town – Search operations are still underway for a 7-year-old girl who went missing around 16:30 on Friday after she was swept off some rocks by waves on the coastline at Betty’s Bay, a small holiday town in the Overberg coast while with her mother.

“Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search the missing child has not been found and only items of clothing belonging to the child have been recovered from the water during the search today,” said National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon in a statement.

It is believed that the minor, who was on a holiday getaway with her family from Claremont, may have drowned.

Rough sea conditions are said to be hampering the search operation, but the search will continue and police will investigate the incident, said Lambinon.

On Friday, NSRI Hermanus duty crew were activated, while NSRI Gordons Bay, Overberg Fire and Rescue Services and the Western Cape Government Health Emergency Medical Services ambulance and rescue squad joined in a search operation conducted in rough seas.

On Saturday, the South African Police Services, a Police Dive Unit, Cape Nature Conservation officers and the Betty’s Bay Neighbourhood Watch members continued their on-going search for the girl.
 
The family, from Claremont, Cape Town is said to be receiving assistance from family and friends.