The fifth victim of the Msinga flood tragedy has been recovered, highlighting the ongoing impact of this devastating event.
Image: Supplied
The confirmed death toll in the Msinga flood tragedy in KwaZulu-Natal has risen to five following the recovery of another body on Sunday. The fifth victim was recovered in the eNhlonga area, located in Ward 13 of the Msinga Local Municipality.
This discovery follows the tragic incident on Thursday evening, where a bakkie transporting eight occupants was swept away while attempting to cross the low-lying Mfenebude bridge on the P17 in eNadi, eMabovini. Two people managed to escape and reach safety; six others were swept away by the floodwaters.
On Friday, search and rescue teams recovered the bodies of two women. The first was located in the iNadi River (Msinga) and the second in the uThukela River in the Nkandla Local Municipality. One of the women was pregnant. On Saturday, the operation led to the recovery of two more victims from the uThukela River: a woman on the Msinga side and a man at eMakhabeleni within the uMvoti Local Municipality. The ages of these victims range from 25 to 40.
“To intensify the ongoing operation, disaster management teams have now deployed drones to assist in searching inaccessible areas along the rivers feeding into the uThukela River,” said KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila.
“The search and recovery operation continues today (Monday) for the one remaining missing person.”
Rescue teams continue their search efforts along the banks of the uThukela River, where multiple victims were swept away during the flood.
Image: Facebook/ Msinga Municipality
The KZN Provincial Disaster Management Centre is managing the operation which involves a team including the SAPS Search and Rescue unit and Disaster Management teams from the Msinga and uMvoti local municipalities, Mzila said.
He said KZN Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has again offered his condolences to the grieving families during this difficult time.
Buthelezi also praised the search and rescue teams for their unwavering professionalism and tireless commitment.
The department, in collaboration with the Msinga Local Municipality, is providing essential support and remaining in constant contact with the families who have suffered losses. Disaster relief teams will stay at the site until the last missing person has been located.
The Msinga Municipality announced on Sunday that a fifth body had been discovered. The body, identified as a man, was reportedly found in Ngubevu.
Speaking to SABC, Sibonelo Khoza of Msinga Disaster Management said the man, whose identity was provided as Ngobese, was recovered.
Search and rescue teams work tirelessly to recover the body of the fifth victim.
Image: Facebook/ Msinga Municipality
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za