Emergency teams have recovered the bodies of three people who were washed away by floodwaters in Lamontville, Durban, following heavy overnight rains. Search efforts are ongoing for three others still missing.
Rescue teams have been responding to multiple distress calls since the early hours of the morning, focusing on areas in the south of Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
It is believed that the six victims were inside an informal dwelling when they were swept away by rising floodwaters.
“This incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, and paramedics, Durban Metro Police, SAPS Search and Rescue, and the eThekwini Fire Department searched the surrounding area,” said Advanced Life Support paramedic Garrith Jamieson. “However, due to dangerous conditions, all units made a joint decision to return at first light to resume the search.”
The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance has identified several severely affected areas, including the N2 at Murchison, the Umbango Bridge, the Nkongweni Bridge at Margate, and Isipingo on the N2 south of Durban.
Disaster response teams have been deployed to evacuate residents and assist affected communities. Several roads remain submerged and impassable, with closures in place due to severe flooding.
Authorities continue to urge residents to exercise caution and avoid traveling in high-risk areas as weather conditions remain unpredictable.