An intensive search operation is continuing into its seventh day at a quarry behind the Heidedal Mall, where a 20-year-old man is believed to have drowned last week.
The Bloemfontein Diving Unit, assisted by colleagues from the Welkom Diving Unit, has deployed all available resources in a concerted effort to locate the missing man. The operation, which began immediately after the incident was reported, has so far not yielded any results.
The tragic incident is alleged to have occurred on Thursday, 16 October 2025. According to reports, the victim was at the quarry with two companions to swim. It is said that the 20-year-old jumped into the water, was quickly overwhelmed, and tragically drowned.
Heidedal police were summoned to the scene and called in the Bloemfontein Diving Unit to begin the search. The intensive operation has focused on the area where the victim was last seen and continues today, Thursday, 23 October 2025.
In light of this incident, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a strong warning to the community, urging the public to refrain from using the quarry for swimming. Authorities emphasize that the water is known to be dangerously deep and poses a severe risk to life.
