In South Africa, 14 people died when a river flooded near a ghetto on the southern outskirts of Johannesburg. The tragedy occurred on Saturday December 3 during a religious ritual in which 33 people participated in this small stream when a violent storm fell, we learned on Sunday.
The vast majority of those worshiping an evangelical church were standing in the middle of the Jukskei River on the southern outskirts of Johannesburg when they were caught out by the storm. They engaged in purification rituals and baptisms, said Robert Mulaudzi, an official of the city’s emergency department, quoted by AFP.
They did not have time to take shelter and were carried away by a torrent of water which broke. A few of them were saved, including the pastor of the church. He was able to cling to a branch hanging over the river, according to South African media.
Resuming research on Monday
Until Sunday evening, 14 bodies of victims had been found by rescuers, again according to Robert Mulaudzi, for whom the hope of finding other missing persons alive ” dwindles ” over time. However, the search must resume on Monday.
Severe thunderstorms erupt almost every night in this rainy season, frequently causing sudden rises in water in this river which adjoins the capital. ” Access to rivers is free and people have the right to practice their religion “, recalled the South African official who believes that awareness campaigns must be intensified to prevent such tragedies from happening again.