Massive search for missing swimmer (16) called off at Wassenaar Beach

The 16-year-old swimmer, who went missing Tuesday afternoon, was not found after hours of search and rescue operations on Wassenaar beach.Initial calls to emergency services after 5:15 p.m. indicated two swimmers were in trouble.

Spakettingen, jet skis, Readingsboten, lifeguards, dry helicopters waking up with branding, you know it all #Wassenaar Seslag. 😢 Andere Zwemer (male), Weld Gerred Door, and En Surfer. pic.twitter.com/x19rLKeCWg

— Nynke Vissia 💛🍀 #CertifiedEarthProtector #NoWar (@Zo_Nynke) July 11, 2023

The missing boy was rumored to be a poor swimmer. Omrop West said he went into the water with two of his friends, who were able to get out of the water on their own. A surfer reportedly helped a swimmer in trouble there. When they reached the shore, they alerted lifeguards and called emergency services.

At Wassenaarse Slag Beach, people formed a human chain to search for the missing boy as lifeguards rushed to the scene. They were assisted by Dutch rescue service KNRM’s rescue boats and people on jet skis. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and several helicopters were seen circling overhead. A mobile trauma team was also dispatched to the scene by helicopter.

“Unfortunately, no missing persons have been found and therefore the mass search has been discontinued,” the Haaglanden Emergency Services Office said in a statement shortly before 8:40 pm.

Police are reportedly investigating what happened in Wassenaarse Slag. Wassenaar Slag is located in South Holland, west of Wassenaar and north of The Hague.