A Cape Town teen is missing after a swim at Camps Bay sparked a major search operation on Saturday evening.

The 18-year-old from Mfuleni in Cape Town had been swimming with friends at Glen Beach when he got into difficulty.

Strong currents swept the teenager towards Maiden’s Cove before he disappeared from sight.

One of his friends tried to reach him but could not get through the rough water.

Cape Town teen missing at Camps Bay

Emergency services received reports of a drowning in progress at about 18:57 on Saturday, 3 October.

NSRI Bakoven and Table Bay crews responded to Glen Beach.

The City of Cape Town water rescue network also activated lifeguards, Law Enforcement, Metro Police, emergency medical services, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service and SAPS.

Rescue crews launched the NSRI craft Gemini Legend, while rescue swimmers entered the water.

Teams also searched along the shoreline.

A Metro Police drone unit joined the operation and searched the area from the air.

Friend tried to reach Mfuleni teen

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the teenager had been swimming with friends when the current pulled him away. “A friend had tried to rescue the teenager but in strong currents was unable to reach him when he disappeared.”

Rescuers continued searching from the air, sea and shoreline but could not locate him.

NSRI Bakoven station commander Bevan Geyser confirmed that Saturday’s operation failed to find the teenager.

“Despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search no signs of the teenager have been located.”

Police divers take over search

SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services took over the ongoing search for the teenager.

Police divers continued searching on Sunday, while Camps Bay police opened an investigation into the incident.