A devastating incident in KwaZulu-Natal has resulted in the death toll rising to four after a vehicle was swept off a bridge in the midst of floods. The tragedy occurred on Thursday evening when a vehicle carrying eight occupants attempted to cross the Infenebude Bridge on the P17 in eNadi, eMabovini, and was swept away by floodwaters.
The latest discoveries bring the total number of deceased to four, with two women’s bodies recovered on Friday. One was found in the iNadi River in uMsinga, while the second was discovered in the uThukela River on the Nkandla Local Municipality side. According to Senzelwe Mzila, a spokesperson for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, one of the deceased females was pregnant.
KZN Floods Aftermath
Search and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to recover the bodies of the victims. On the day following the incident, two further victims were recovered from the uThukela River: a female on the uMsinga side and a male at eMakhabeleni within the uMvoti Local Municipality. The victims identified so far are between the ages of 25 and 40.
The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, extended condolences to the affected families and praised the search and rescue teams for their efforts. He commended the teams for working across multiple municipal boundaries to recover all the victims and provide closure to their families.
Rescue Efforts Continue
Two men remain missing, and rescue teams continue searching the rivers around the clock. The department said it was working closely with the uMsinga Local Municipality to support the affected families during this difficult time. Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service issued a warning for severe thunderstorms expected across large parts of the province.
Forecasters warned that heavy rainfall, damaging winds, lightning and hail could lead to localised flooding. The public is advised to exercise caution and follow the instructions of local authorities. For more information on the weather warning, visit the South African Weather Service website.
The following are some safety tips to follow during floods:
- Avoid crossing flooded bridges or roads
- Stay indoors and away from floodwaters
- Follow the instructions of local authorities
- Keep a battery-powered radio and flashlight on hand
For more information on flood safety, visit the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs website.
