French Rugby Prodigy, 17, Missing Off South African Coast; Police Launch Investigation

On Thursday, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced in a press release the opening of a police investigation to find the Franco-Moroccan international Medhi Narjissi, who has been missing since Wednesday while participating in an international gathering in South Africa with the France U19 team. "The French Rugby Federation is, this Thursday, still without news of the young player Medhi Narjissi, who has been missing since yesterday (Wednesday)," it states. A police investigation has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of the disappearance. The FFR has also opened an internal investigation.

The FFR describes the circumstances of the disappearance of the Stade Toulousain prospect. "According to the first elements of information gathered, the team was participating in a recovery session in a cold sea bath, on the edge of the sea, at Diaz Beach, in the presence of the staff members, in a place where the players had a foothold," it continues. "At the moment when the group was getting out of the water, Medhi was swept away by a wave and then by strong currents, towards the open sea," it specifies.

The National Sea Rescue Institute continues its search to find Narjissi. Meanwhile, the gathering as well as the participation of the Bleuets in the International Series have been cancelled. The FFR is providing support to the player’s loved ones, as well as to his club, Stade Toulousain. It states that "a psychological unit has been activated to listen to the young players and their supervisors".