Police divers in South Africa's North West province are conducting round-the-clock rescues after heavy rains caused flooding. Motorists and others have been trapped in vehicles or swept into rivers while crossing flooded roads. No casualties have been reported so far.
Police divers in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District of North West are working non-stop to rescue people trapped by floods. This follows heavy rains that have led to dangerous conditions on roads and bridges.
Police spokesperson Adéle Myburgh stated that no casualties have been reported. Law enforcement has warned motorists not to cross flooded roads and bridges after multiple incidents requiring diver interventions.
Myburgh described ongoing operations: “As we speak there are two rescue missions taking place, both of them in Kgomotso. In the one case a bridge collapsed and there is a vehicle stuck on top with two people inside. Moving on a bit further there are three more vehicles, so we are currently trying to determine if indeed there are people inside with the assistance of a drone. The last rescue the police was of a horse cart that also crossed a bridge, it overturned and one of the occupants managed to swim out and the other clung on to a tree until he was rescued.”
These efforts highlight the immediate risks posed by the flooding, with authorities emphasizing safety measures to prevent further incidents.