UPDATE: 9 drownings recorded in Cape Town over the festive season

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town has revealed that many child drownings occurred outside designated swimming areas or when lifeguards were off duty.

This festive season, approximately nine drownings were recorded in the municipality.

The MMC for Community Services and Health, Patricia Van er Ross, said, "Our lifeguards have also responded to more than 30 non-fatal drownings, all of which were serious and where patients required anything from oxygen to hospitalisation. Without the intervention of lifeguards, these too could have been fatal."

Editor's note: The total number of drownings initially reported has been amended from 14 to 9.