President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Jagersfontein in the Free State on Monday where one person was reportedly killed, 82 were hospitalised and several others went missing when a dam burst in the area on Sunday morning.
Initially, three people were said to have been killed but the Free State government on Monday morning revised the death toll go one. Nearby communities, Charlesville and Itumeleng were also affected.
“The president’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, which allegedly involved a pipe burst from a mine at Jagersfontein,” said Vincent Magenya, the president’s spokesperson.
It is understood that more than two dozen people were injured in the incident, with varying injuries reported. Some are said to have suffered hypothermia while others sustained broken limbs.
“The president wishes injured survivors a speedy recovery and a positive outcome in the search for missing residents of the Charlesville neighbourhood. The president appreciates the rescue and recovery efforts in which emergency services and police from towns surrounding the mine and from Mangaung are engaged.”
Meanwhile, an environmental specialist has cautioned residents of Jagersfontein to avoid contact with the flood water, which has covered the town in grey sludge. After the dam burst, residents were captured on video wading through the water or covered in grey sticky mud.
“The water infrastructure of the time might have also been affected. Concerningly, the town is currently without electricity, which might affect the wastewater treatment plants. Due to little information currently available, affected communities need to take necessary precautions to ensure that their health is not affected,” said environmentalist Professor Anja du Plessis.
Source: News24, Eyewitness News, Times Live, image from Twitter: OFM News