(Johannesburg) Nine people died in the sudden flooding of a small river in the greater Johannesburg area, hit by violent storms on Saturday, and rescue efforts are continuing to find several missing, we learned on Sunday from the services emergency.
“Last night, a group was taking part in religious rituals in the river when a storm fell,” said Robert Mulaudzi, spokesman for the city’s emergency services, adding that there were 33 worshipers present on the banks of the river. the small Juskei river, at the time of this spectacular flood.
“Two people were taken away, their deaths were confirmed on the spot” and the rescue services continued to search for 15 other missing persons, said the spokesperson, before stopping when the teams could no longer see clearly.
Rescuers, with the support of firefighters, resumed their efforts on Sunday morning, identifying seven more bodies, bringing the death toll to nine, he added.
Sudden rises in water are common in this area of Johannesburg, where thunderstorms almost every evening during the austral summer are often sudden and violent.