Today’s search and rescue efforts in the Swartkops River for a student who went missing during the Kariega flash flood last weekend have not yielded any results.
The student from Eastcape Midlands TVET College went missing with a fellow student, Asemahle Mdiniso (21). Asemahle’s body as well as a car have been found in the Swartkops River, near Cuyler Street on Friday afternoon.
Express previously reported that Asemahle and a fellow student had been reported missing after they were last seen leaving with a friend whose car was swept away by the recent floods. Fortunately, the friend has been rescued.
After today’s search Captain Ashley Adams of the SAPS Diving Unit told UD Express reporter Shanti Jafta that the water was very muddy, resulting in poor visibility for the divers.
According to a statement issued by police spokesperson Col. Priscilla Naidu on Friday, a total of 10 people have been reported to have drowned or died in the recent floods that hit the Nelson Mandela Bay metro and surrounds. On Saturday, June 1, severe storms and heavy rains battered and caused extreme damage in many areas of the metro, in particular, Kwanobuhle, Kariega, Walmer, Blue Horizon Bay, and Kamesh.
In KwaNobuhle, four deceased persons were found, while police in Kamesh, Kabega Park, Chatty, and Walmer reported one death each. In Kariega, two deaths were reported.
“Searches for people who have not yet been accounted for are continuing by the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue and Diving Units,” said Col. Naidu.
