Woman Killed in Shark Attack at East London Beach Identified as 65-Year-Old Swimmer

Anneliese van der Merwe Published 10 hours ago

4 min read

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A 65-year-old woman has died following a shark attack at Orient Beach in KuGompo City, formerly known as East London, in the Eastern Cape. The incident occurred during a morning swim on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, prompting authorities to close Orient Beach and Eastern Beach until further notice.

The victim has been identified as Janine Lochrenberg, a retired nuclear radiographer and musician who was a member of the East London Open Water Swimmers Association.

According to reports, Lochrenberg was swimming shortly after 08:00 when she signalled that she was in distress. Other swimmers in the water responded and moved towards her to assist.

Swimmers Rush to Help

Mike Louw, a fellow open-water swimmer and Daily Dispatch journalist, recounted the rescue attempt in an interview with SABC News.

Louw said members of the swimming group immediately swam towards Lochrenberg after noticing that she needed help. Two swimmers reached her before efforts were made to bring her back to shore.

Her son also assisted in bringing her out of the water, according to Louw’s account.

Once the swimmers reached her, they realised that she had sustained severe injuries consistent with a shark attack. Reports indicate that her injuries included damage to her right arm and thigh.

A medic who was part of the swimming group administered emergency assistance on the beach. Despite the efforts to help her, Lochrenberg died at the scene.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the precise sequence of events leading to the attack, have not been fully established in the information publicly available.

Shark Deterrent Band Reportedly Worn

Louw said Lochrenberg was wearing a magnetic shark deterrent band when the incident occurred.

Despite the device, she sustained fatal injuries. The precise species of shark involved has not been confirmed in the information available, and the circumstances of the encounter remain subject to further investigation.

The incident has drawn attention to the risks associated with open-water swimming and the importance of following local beach safety warnings. Shark deterrent devices should not be regarded as a guarantee against an encounter or attack.

Orient Beach and Eastern Beach Closed

Following the fatal incident, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality announced that Orient Beach and Eastern Beach would be closed until further notice.

In its public safety notice, the municipality confirmed that a shark attack had occurred at Orient Beach that morning and that the incident had resulted in a fatality.

Beachgoers were instructed not to enter the water at the two affected beaches. Authorities also urged the public to remain vigilant at other beaches, follow safety advisories and comply with instructions issued by officials.

The closures are intended to prevent further exposure to potential danger while the situation is assessed.

Members of the public have been advised to wait for official announcements before returning to the water at the affected beaches. No reopening time was specified in the available notice.

Police Open Inquest

The South African Police Service has opened an inquest docket in connection with Lochrenberg’s death.

The deceased was transferred to State Forensic Pathology Services, according to reports. An inquest allows authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding a death and establish the relevant facts.

Further details about the investigation, including any formal findings regarding the attack, were not available in the reports reviewed.

A Developing Incident

The fatal attack occurred at one of East London’s coastal swimming areas and led to immediate precautionary measures by local authorities.

The response involved swimmers who were already in the water, assistance on the beach and subsequent safety measures affecting two beaches.

Orient Beach and Eastern Beach remain closed until further notice, with the public urged to comply with official warnings.

Authorities have not announced a confirmed date or time for the beaches to reopen. Further information about the investigation and any changes to the safety restrictions is expected to depend on updates from the relevant authorities.