Update on Search for Missing Norwegian Tourist

The search for a missing Norwegian tourist, Marie Ostbo, is still ongoing in Sedgefield, South Africa. The 21-year-old had arrived in Sedgefield in the Western Cape on Wednesday with a group of international students. The group had taken a walk to the beach in the early evening, and upon their return discovered and reported that Marie was missing.

Marie was last seen at around 19h00 on the beach, wearing blue jeans and a white shirt, about 100 meters from the backpackers at which they are staying.  Friends noticed that she had not come inside with the rest of the group. They went to look for her but were unable to find her.

The South African Police Services, Community Police, a Police K-9 Search and Rescue Unit, a Police Dive Unit, WC Government Health EMS, WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue), the ASR/EMS Skymed rescue helicopter, NSRI Wilderness crew, and Neighbourhood Watch members, searched throughout yesterday.

According to NSRI: “Despite the extensive search only a cellphone, a hat and shoes belonging to Marie, were located and recovered by Police on the beach, in the vicinity, during the early hours of Thursday morning.”

All possibilities are being explored and investigated, they said.

NSRI and authorities are in communication with her family abroad, assisted by the SA Police Services, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the Royal Norwegian Foreign Office and Consulate Services and the Department of Tourism, and assistance and support is continuing.

The tour group are also receiving assistance and support, said the NSRI.