Disability carer and Nepalese immigrant Nischal Ghimire has become the fifth overseas-born person to drown in waters off Glenelg in just under three years.

Mr Ghimire’s body was found by water operations police floating near West Beach boat ramp just after 7.30pm on Friday.

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The brothers of a disability carer feared drowned off a Glenelg beach will make a mercy dash to Australia to join the search effort.

Nepalese immigrant Nischal Ghimire, who could not swim, had been looking after a 10-year-old boy when he disappeared sometime on Thursday night.

A water search has concluded for the day but trail bikes and foot patrols will continue for a while longer in the search for missing man Nischal Ghimire at Glenelg. Officers will remain at the beach overnight and the search will begin again tomorrow morning. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/MjwsJZ9GQM — Mitch Mott (@MitchMottTiser) December 28, 2018

Mr Ghimire, 22, of Clarence Park, was last seen about 4pm on Thursday but was not reported missing until about 12.30am on Friday after the young boy — who cannot speak — knocked on the door of a property on North Esplanade at Glenelg North.

Police launched an air, ground and sea search shortly after as family members frantically called Mr Ghimire’s friends in the hope they may have been able to shed some light on his whereabouts.

media_camera Nischal Ghimire still remains missing.

“We just tried to contact all his friends and all other people that he knows but didn’t find him anywhere,” relative Devi Shrestha, 24, said.

Adding to their concern was that Mr Ghimire, who “loved it at the beach,” was not a swimmer. “He doesn’t know how to swim,” Ms Shrestha said.

Mr Ghimire worked for aged-care and disability services provider Assured Home Care and was the preferred carer for the young boy.

Assured Home Care chief executive Julie De Jong said management and staff were devastated to learn of the disappearance of Mr Ghimire, who she described as a valued and experienced carer. “We cannot emphasise enough the extent to which we are upset by this incident,” she said.

“We are praying that Nischal will be located alive and well and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

media_camera Family and friends await updates as emergency services crews scour the beach and ocean in the search for missing carer Nischal Ghimire, who disappeared while looking after a young boy. Picture: KELLY BARNES/AAP

Mr Ghimire has two older brothers who are both in Nepal with their parents. The brothers will fly out from Nepal today to help in the search.

One brother, who did not wish to be named, told The Advertiserhis brother had vanished was “like disasters”. “It’s too hard, especially for mum and dad. Let’s hope for positive news,” he said.

Mr Ghimire arrived in Adelaide in July 2016 on a student visa to study a diploma of nursing, which he recently completed.

media_camera Police and SES began their search from Friday morning. AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

It is understood visa problems and travel costs are understood to be preventing Mr Ghimire’s parents from coming to Australia.

Everest TV, an Adelaide Nepalese social media site, broadcast from the scene, providing updates in Nepalese for the international community.

Everest TV member and friend of Mr Ghimire, Pradib Khatri, said the younger man loved the beach but did not know how to swim.

“He liked to come to the beach but he didn’t really go in the water,” Mr Khatri said.

“He used to bring his clients down to the beach.

Search for missing man Nischal Ghimire Search for missing man Nischal Ghimire

“It doesn’t make sense for him to be in the water Maybe he went in to help the boy and got in trouble.”

Members of the small but tight-knit Adelaide Nepalese community — including about 20 family and friends of Mr Ghimire — watched quietly from the shore as boats, jetskis as helicopters scoured the beach and ocean.

media_camera Nischal Ghimire’s white Mitsubishi Colt was found parked by the beach.

Mr Ghimire’s wallet, phone and clothes were found near rocks on the beach, while, just metres away, his white Mitsubishi Colt remained locked and parked on the road until it was towed away about 6.30pm.

North Esplanade resident Zac Curnow, 19, and his friends raised the alarm when the young boy appeared at their front door.

“About midnight we had a knock at the door … and we opened the door and this kid was screaming and ran straight into our apartment. He was dripping wet and naked,” Mr Curnow said.

media_camera Detectives talk to Zac Curnow. Picture: Mark Brake/AAP

“He sat on the couch and we gave him a towel and … rang the police. He looked pretty shaken up.”

Mr Curnow said officers and the boy’s mother arrived shortly after.

“(The mother) was distraught and crying,” he said.

“I’m just glad he’s home safe and the mum could be reunited with her son.”

While the boy was in good health, he was unable tell police where he last saw Mr Ghimire.

Surf Life Saving SA spokeswoman Mel Davis-Bishop encouraged people to be vigilant when at the beach.

“We urge the public to always swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches,” she said.

Ms Davis-Bishop said people should also follow any safety signs at the beach and be aware of their own skill level.

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Glenelg drownings

DECEMBER 18, 2017: Elias Nimbona, 15, of Goodwood, drowned while attending a birthday party. The body of Elias — a Burundian immigrant — was found underneath the jetty.

DECEMBER 10, 2017: Indian student Nitisha Negi, 15, drowned after she was swept off rocks at the breakwater. She was visiting with her soccer team for the Pacific School Games.

JANUARY 1, 2016: Burundian boys Frank Ndikuriyo and Thierry Niyomwungere, both 11, drowned after encountering difficulty near the breakwater.