A total of two people have tragically drowned and four are missing after a car they were travelling in was washed away on a bridge.
This is after a car that was carrying eight people was swept away while attempting to cross a low lying bridge in Msinga, KZN on Friday, 6 March.
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Two people managed to reach safety while the other six were washed away. So far two bodies have been recovered while four are still being sought.
Following this tragic incident the KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has dispatched provincial disaster management teams to Msinga following the fatal incident at the Infenebude bridge.
Confirming the matter, MEC Reverend Buthelezi said shortly after 7pm, a car carrying eight occupants was swept away while attempting to cross the low-lying Infenebude bridge on the P17 in eNadi, eMabovini.
“While two individuals managed to escape the vehicle and reach safety, six others were carried away by the floodwaters.”
“Provincial disaster management teams, in coordination with the South African Police Service (SAPS) Search and Rescue unit, have been active on-site since the incident occurred. As of today, Saturday, 7 March, two bodies have been recovered,” he said.
He said the search for the remaining four missing persons continues as teams work around the clock.
MEC Buthelezi has extended his condolences to the bereaved families and confirmed that the department is providing direct support to those affected by this tragedy.
“Our teams are on the ground and will remain there until the missing are located. We have deployed all necessary resources to ensure the search operation proceeds without delay,” said MEC Buthelezi.
MEC Buthelezi said the department cautions motorists against crossing low-lying bridges during heavy rainfall.
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“Disaster management officials remain on high alert across KZN as the province continues to experience inclement weather,” he said.
