A British woman, Elaine McSorley, 71, has been reported missing for a week after venturing to a lake known for its man-eating crocodiles in search of a hippo to photograph. She was accompanied by her husband, Leon, 81, during their stay at a hotel in Mkhuze, South Africa’s KwaZulu Province. While Leon returned to the hotel due to the heat and distance, Elaine continued her walk alone, prompting him to raise the alarm when she didn’t return after several hours.
Authorities have been conducting search operations around the lake since September 27, but the absence of Elaine’s husband has complicated efforts to gather crucial information about her physical condition and hiking experience. Despite Leon’s return to the hotel, his current whereabouts remain unknown to the police.
The area near the Ghost Mountain Inn, where the couple was staying, is marked with warnings about the presence of dangerous crocodiles. A confirmed sighting of Elaine was reported at 3pm when she asked a local farmer for directions in a different section of the lake. The disappearance occurred in an area with low crime rates, leading authorities to consider possibilities of foul play or a crocodile attack, although no concrete evidence has been found to support either theory.
A widespread search mission involving dogs, locals, helicopters, and law enforcement officers in boats has been launched to locate Elaine. Crocodiles in Africa pose a significant risk as they are responsible for approximately 1,000 fatalities annually and can reach lengths of up to 20 feet.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza of the South African police provided details of the couple’s activities, mentioning that the husband raised the alarm when Elaine failed to return from their walk towards the lake. Despite continuous search efforts, there has been no trace of Elaine, leading to speculations about the circumstances of her disappearance.
Community members expressed surprise at the incident, highlighting the area’s reputation for safety and lack of any apparent criminal activity. The possibility of an encounter with the lake’s crocodiles is being considered as part of the investigation into Elaine’s mysterious disappearance.