The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the family of a women who died in a boating accident in South Africa.

The 49-year-old and a 61-year-old Scottish man died when their boat capsized and ran aground on rocks on the Western Cape yesterday.

An 66-year-old Irish man that was also travelling with them managed to escape the vessel and swim ashore, where he raised the alarm, calling the coastguard and emergency services.

All those on board were residents of the Western Cape area, according to South African rescue services.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority have launched an investigation into the incident, saying they were unsure why the boat capsized.

image via NSRI