Urgent Search Underway for Missing Krugersdorp Teen in Mozambique

The festive season has taken a tragic turn for a group of South African matriculants as the search for Rikus Kylander continues into its fourth day. The 18-year-old vanished on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, while snorkeling with friends at the popular holiday destination of Ponta do Ouro.

The Disappearance: What We Know

Rikus, a recent matriculant from Noordheuwel High School in Krugersdorp, was celebrating his graduation with a group of approximately 12 friends. At around 1:00 p.m., the group entered the water for a snorkeling session. While his friends eventually surfaced at the same spot, Rikus did not reappear.

The alarm was raised immediately, prompting local lifeguards and Mozambican police to initiate search-and-rescue operations. The incident has been officially registered under case number 332/1 Esquadra – Ponta de Ouro/2025.

Identifying Rikus Kylander

Authorities and the family have shared descriptions to assist the public and volunteers. Rikus is approximately 1.8 meters tall with an average build and dark blonde to brown hair. He was last seen wearing navy blue shorts and snorkeling goggles.

A Community Rallies Behind the Family

The Kylander family, including his parents Anzél and Donovan and his 24-year-old sister Clarise, rushed to Mozambique early on December 19 to coordinate the search. Clarise has described the family as “worried sick,” while Noordheuwel High School issued a heartfelt statement describing Rikus as a “wonderful young man.”

To fund the escalating costs of the search—which now includes private resources—the family launched a Back-a-Buddy campaign. The South African community responded swiftly, raising over R50,000 in just a few days to support fuel, logistics, and expert assistance.

The Search Effort: Drones, Patrols, and Drift Models

The search has been a massive undertaking involving several key players. While the Mozambique Police handled the initial investigation, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has since taken the lead on the technical rescue operations.

Search teams have utilized ocean drift models, which suggest that the current may have moved southward toward Sodwana Bay. This has led to expanded efforts, including:

• Aerial Scans: Appeals have been made for private drone operators to help scan the coastline.

• Foot Patrols: Volunteers and teams are scouring beaches, sand dunes, and nearby bushland.

• Expert Analysis: The family is working with maritime experts to navigate the hazardous undertows and rip currents that Ponta do Ouro is known for.

A Timeline of Events

The search began on the afternoon of December 18 as soon as Rikus was reported missing. By the early morning of December 19, his family arrived on-site, and missing person alerts began circulating widely on social media.

Throughout December 19 and 20, intensive foot and drone searches were conducted along the coast. On December 20, the family stepped back from the front lines of the search to allow the NSRI to manage the professional operation. As of December 21, the search remains active, but no new leads or signs of Rikus have emerged.

Safety Warnings for Holidaymakers

This disappearance serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of the Mozambican coastline during the festive season. Last year, seven drownings were reported across various sites in the country, many due to deceptive sea conditions and strong rip currents. Authorities are urging all tourists to stay in supervised areas and heed local water safety warnings.