VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Two men are still missing after a reported drowning on Saturday night at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Video Credit: Eric Carlson

The search for the two men still unaccounted for, 22-year-old Sergio Olcot Ajbal and 22-year-old Sergio Xinico, both of Chesapeake, is considered a recovery effort.

Another male who was pulled from the water on Saturday night was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police did not have an update on his condition as of Monday morning.

Rescue crews were first called around 8:30 p.m. Saturday for the report of three males in distress. After the one victim was pulled from the water, crews searched from 15th street to 40th street until late Saturday night. 

The recovery effort picked up again on Sunday morning with Virginia Beach Police, Marine Police, United States Coast Guard and United States Navy crews working together.

Online aircraft trackers showed Coast Guard helicopters from Elizabeth City continuing the search around sunrise.

By noon Sunday, VBPD and the Coast Guard announced that the search had been halted due to rough seas and that the two missing individuals are still unaccounted for.

“We heard the news last night about what happened. We feel for the families, of course,” said Ulysses Howard, a Virginia Beach resident.

Howard, a Navy veteran, is hopeful the man in critical condition will be OK.

“All we can do is just keep praying and hope people are careful when [they] come down here. Enjoy it. It’s peaceful. It’s beautiful. Just be careful. That’s all,” Howard said.

10 On Your Side will continue to follow this story as it develops.