Ten dead in Eastern Cape floods, search still on for missing people
Floods that battered the Nelson Mandela Bay metro and other parts of the Eastern Cape have claimed ten lives.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is still searching for unaccounted-for people following recent floods in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro area in the Eastern Cape.
To date, at least ten people have been reported to have drowned or died in the recent floods since Sunday, 2 June.
POLICE SEARCH FOR MISSING PEOPLE FOLLOWING RECENT FLOODS IN EASTERN CAPE
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in the Eastern Cape, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said it is alleged that on Saturday, 1 June, severe storms and heavy rains battered and caused extreme damage in many areas of the metro, particularly Kwanobuhle, Kariega, Walmer, Blue Horizon Bay, and Kamesh.
Naidu said in Kwanobuhle, four deceased persons were found; Kamesh, Kabega Park, Chatty, and Walmer reported one each, with Kariega reporting two deaths.
On Sunday, the body of the tenth victim, a female who was reported missing in Kariega, was recovered this afternoon on the Swartkops river bank in Cuyler Street. The victim went missing together with a friend when their car was washed away on 1 June in Kariega. The vehicle was also found submerged in water.
“Inquest dockets are opened in all of the above drownings. Searches for people who have not yet been accounted for are continuing by the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue and Diving Units,” she said.
SCORES OF PEOPLE RELOCATED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Last weekend, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said a man and a baby died in Kariega, while four women remain missing.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said rescuers safely relocated at least 70 people to various mustering points in 55 operations so far especially in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.
“Officials activated resources during heavy rain on Saturday, 1 June, at around 22:45,” Lambinon said at the time.
Rescue crews also recovered one man from a newly formed island in the river, but a woman was swept away. They found the other four people safe on the south bank.
Multiple rescue operations recovered persons safely from buildings, residences and vehicles.