8 washed away as storm hits Durban

2007-03-16 10:04

Johannesburg - Emergency personnel and police were searching for eight people who were believed to have been washed off a bridge during a flash flood in Inanda, north of Durban, Netcare 911 said on Friday.

Spokesperson Chris Botha said the eight victims were apparently on a bridge early on Thursday night when they were swept off when a flash flood hit.

Botha said the bridge crossed over a normally dry waterway.

"We are using two helicopter's and various ground personnel in the search," Botha said from the scene.

Neil Noble, spokesperson for ER24, said the two-hour storm around 21:00 on Thursday caused severe flooding, leading to several flooded roads, causing accidents, and other disruptions in the Durban area.

"The heavy rains caused flash flooding on all major routes in and around Durban," he said.

Heavy winds had also damaged roofs and caused trees to fall across roadways.

Noble said paramedics who brought patients to Addington hospital found the entrance to the trauma unit flooded with both water and homeless people seeking shelter at the hospital.

The Durban beach front was also flooded on the lower Marine promenade.

- SAPA