Minutes after a young tourist went missing in Sedgefield in the Western Cape on April 18, members of the local community and tourism stakeholders rallied in a find-and-rescue mission, which is still ongoing.
The 20-year-old Norwegian girl who is studying in France – Marie Ostbo – was visiting South Africa and went for a walk on the beach at around 18h15 with a group of tourists after completing a guided tour. A close friend of Ostbo’s became concerned when the group returned and she was not among them. Numerous calls to Ostbo’s cellphone yielded no response, and the local authorities were immediately alerted.
The local community, including tourism stakeholders, rallied in an urgent search which extended through the night and the next day, including Neighbourhood Watch members, NSRI Wilderness crew, Wilderness Search and Rescue, Community Police, a police dive unit, a police K-9 search and rescue unit, SA Police Services, ASR/EMS Skymed rescue helicopter, and the Western Cape Government Health EMS.
“The National Sea Rescue Institute and authorities are in communication with family abroad, assisted by the SA Police Services, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the Royal Norwegian Foreign Office and Consulate Services and the Department of Tourism and assistance, and support is continuing,” said the NSRI in a statement. “The tour group are receiving assistance and support.”
The tour organiser told Tourism Update: “Both the tour guide and myself reacted immediately upon hearing this news, implementing emergency procedures. We are devastated by Marie's disappearance, and will not give up until we have found the answers.”
Another mass sweep was done yesterday by the NSRI, a helicopter, dogs, and police.
“I am in constant communication with Marie’s family in Norway, talking to her Dad on WhatsApp,” the organiser told Tourism Update. “We are also helping Marie’s friend who is understandably traumatised by the event. Everyone in the tourism family, the Sedgefield community, and in the local emergency response has been amazing in their support.”
The NSRI has appealed to anyone who may have seen Marie, or noticed anything that may assist police in this incident, to contact the Sedgefield Police on 044 343 1321.
