Three bodies recovered after Durban flooding, search continues

Emergency service teams have recovered the bodies of three people who were washed away in Lamontville, Durban, following heavy overnight rains. Three others are still missing.

Search and rescue teams have been responding since the early hours of the morning to calls for help from areas in the south of Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

It is believed that the six people were in an informal dwelling when they were swept away by floodwaters.

Advanced Life Support paramedic Garrith Jamieson says, “This incident occurred in the early hours of this morning and paramedics, Durban Metro Police, Durban SAPS Search and Rescue teams, together with eThekwini Fire Department, searched the surrounding area. However, due to some dangerous conditions, a joint decision was made that all units will return at first light to resume the search for the missing people.”

The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance says the most affected areas include the N2 at Murchison, the Umbango Bridge, the Nkongweni Bridge at Margate, and Isipingo on the N2 south of Durban.

Teams have been deployed to conduct evacuations and assist affected communities. Several roads in the south of Durban and along the south coast remain impassable due to severe flooding, with road closures in place.

Extreme Weather | 6 people washed away in Lamontville