September 12, 2022 01:59
Three people were killed and 40 injured after a collapse of a dam wall in a mine caused homes and cars to be washed away, the Free State government said.
The government said the disaster occurred in the town of Jagersfontein at 0600 local time (0400 GMT), forcing officials to evacuate dozens of residents to nearby farms.
Three bodies were recovered, while 40 people, including a pregnant woman and four individuals with fractured limbs, were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The government said in a statement that search and rescue efforts were continuing in the vicinity of the abandoned diamond mine, which was previously owned by De Beers, a unit of Anglo American.
The Office of the Prime Minister of the Territory stated that “a detailed report will be issued on the circumstances surrounding the incident as soon as its situation is finalised.”
State-owned Eskom Energy said in a separate statement that it had lost a significant amount of electricity supply in the area after its Retquel plant was inundated with mud, adding that it aimed to return supplies to Jagersfontein before the end of the day.
“It is impossible to estimate when supplies will return or to determine the extent of the damage,” Eskom said. The floods damaged cell phone towers, as well as communication lines, drinking water and some roads.
Source: agencies
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