The French Rugby Federation (FFR) said a member of France’s U18 squad has gone missing after swimming in the Cape Town sea.
Medhi Narjissi, 17, is part of France’s squad competing in the U18 International Series in Cape Town, where they will face hosts South Africa as well as England and Georgia.
The FFR said emergency services have been mobilised to find the Toulouse player.
“Wednesday, around 4pm (South African time), he was taken by a wave, as he and his teammates were finishing a swim in the sea at the Cape of Good Hope,” the FFR said.
South African authorities said Narjissi may have been swimming at Diaz Beach, near the Cape of Good Hope, when strong rip currents swept him into the surf zone.
A teammate who unsuccessfully attempted to rescue him managed to return to shore uninjured, according to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)
“Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager,” NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said.
The search was ongoing, he added.
“Thoughts, care and compassion are with the family, friends and the rugby team of the missing teenager in this difficult time,” Lambinon said.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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