The eThekwini Municipality has confirmed the closure of Battery Beach after an aircraft crashed into the ocean during the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit airshow.

The light aircraft crashed along the Durban North Beach, Sun Coast Casino, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

According to the South African Civil Aviation Authority, the accident occurred just after 2pm when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft crashed into the sea during its final display.

The municipality stated it will monitor developments and provide updates regarding the missing pilot.

“Emergency services, including search and rescue teams, are currently on site and actively responding to the incident…The aircraft involved was participating in an airshow linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit 2025, hosted at Virginia Airport,” said the municipality.

Meanwhile, ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said Paramedics are on the beach together with SAPS and Metro Police Search and Rescue as well as NSRI trying to locate the missing pilot.

“Police divers are preparing to enter the ocean to search for the missing pilot,” he said.

*This is a developing story

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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