Lynnette and John Rodgers from County Down were swimming at Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape of South Africa on Friday in what authorities described as “rough” conditions with a strong rip-current, the BBC reported.
Efforts were made to resuscitate the couple, who were in their twenties, after they were found on the beach by a local man, but they were declared dead at the scene.
Craig Lambinon, a spokesperson for National Sea Rescue in South Africa, offered condolences to the Rodgerses’ families. “They were both found on the beach by bystanders. It’s suspected that they had gone for a swim shortly after arriving in Plettenberg Bay for a holiday. They’re both British citizens,” he said.
In a joint statement to Sky News, both Lynnette and John’s families said that news of the events came as a “great shock”.
“Our happiness in sharing their recent wedding has been thoroughly devastated. Both were very dearly loved and brought us great joy,” the families said.