Pretoria - Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille has sent condolences to the family of the man who was killed on Saturday evening after a charter boat capsized offshore near Hout Bay on a popular sight-seeing trip.
"On behalf of the City of Cape Town, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of the adult male who died during yesterday's boat accident.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the deceased and those of the missing victims and injured," said De Lille on Sunday.
Reports indicate that one person died, 38 others sustained injuries and were rescued, while two people are still missing.
The rescue mission for the missing two had to be called off yesterday due to unfavourable sea conditions. The operation will resume today.
De Lille thanked the rescue and disaster response teams who "went beyond the call of duty to the save the other passengers of the boat".
"Their courageous acts have helped save the lives of the survivors of this tragedy. We hope that they will succeed in finding the missing victims," she said.
Western Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde is on the scene to lend assistance to the survivors and assist with rescue operations together with the City of Cape Town's Disaster Management Unit, SAPS, Western Cape Emergency Medical Services, the National Sea Rescue Institute and members of the public.
"I am grateful for the expeditious manner in which the rescue operation was carried out.
"The Western Cape government extends heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the person that has lost their life and those who have been injured as a result of the accident," said Winde.
Trauma counsellors have been dispatched to the scene. Those requiring further counselling are requested to call the Department of Social Development's Trauma Counselling toll free helpline on 0800 220 250.
The cause of the accident is still being investigated. - SAnews.gov.za
