Two learners drowned at a beach during a school trip on Friday in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. The learners aged 17 and 18 from Sizanathi Secondary school in Dududu in the South of Durban allegedly drowned after a visit to the Durban University of Technology on Friday.

NO LIFEGUARDS

According to a cop who is not allowed to speak to the media, there were informed that there were about 30 learners that were swimming at the beach with no lifeguard present. "There were only teachers and other learners. Soon, two learners had drowned, and a resident immediately alerted the lifeguards who were a distance from where the school kids were swimming," the cop said.

BODIES RECOVERED

The lifeguards reacted swiftly and discovered that two learners had been washed away by the sea. "The lifeguards began searching and managed to pull out two learners who had been swept away by the sea. A private ambulance attended the scene and tried in vain to resuscitate the two learners. They were declared dead on the scene," the cop said. KZN Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirmed the incident. "Yes, we can confirm that the incident occurred. We would like to pass our condolences to the families. We are waiting for the full report from the school," he said. KZN SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said two inquests were opened after two bodies of learners from Sizathina Secondary School in Dududu were retrieved from the sea at Toti River Mouth on Beach Road Thursday afternoon. Information at police’s disposal indicate that the learners, aged 17 and 18 years old, were swimming with others when they got into difficulties and drowned," he said.