At least 17 people are thought to have been swept away by flash flooding along a river in a Johannesburg suburb in South Africa on 03 December 2022.
According to Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS), teams were carrying out search and rescue operations along the Juksei River in the Alexandra area of the city after 17 church members were reported swept away by a flash flood following heavy rains in the area. Reportedly the victims were members of a church group conducting a baptism ritual at the time.
The bodies of two members of the group were found late on 03 December. One person was rescued alive and received medical treatment.
Search operations were halted late on 03 December but continued early on 04 December when Johannesburg EMS confirmed they had found 7 more bodies. The search continues for the 8 who remain missing.
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said “Of course, they might have run while the storm came through so we will also activate the services of the local pastor to try and remove any uncertainty about their whereabouts.”
In late November public safety officials visited communities along the Juksei River to assess flood risks and increase awareness of flood dangers.
Social Media
@CityofJoburgEMS @CityofJoburgZA @CoJPublicSafety Search
for Alex missing 15 continues this morning along the Juskei river stream 2 bodies recovered last night and one person was rescued recieved medical treatment on site later transported to the nearest health care facility. pic.twitter.com/375dlHPQgd— Cojems Spokesperson (@RobertMulaudzi) December 4, 2022
@CityofJoburgEMS @CityofJoburgZA @CoJPublicSafety Search for Alex missing 15 continues this morning along Juskei river stream alleged to have been swept away during a Church ritual.#JoburgBravest pic.twitter.com/X0Z1TOh2vj
— Cojems Spokesperson (@RobertMulaudzi) December 4, 2022
Shocked to see that there is direct flushing of toilet/s straight into the Jukskei River. Something ought to be done! This is totally unacceptable #WaterSafety #FireSafety #BuyaMthetho pic.twitter.com/veDFIxp2es
— AskTheChief01 #BuyaMthetho 🔥 (@David_S_Tembe) November 21, 2022
We are now walking through Alex and heading to the Jukskei River where there tends to be a lot of emergency calls from involving flooding. Some of the community has illegally erected shelter next to the river which poses a lot danger to them #FloodAwareness #SaferJoburg ^NJ pic.twitter.com/3JuAPGqXvT
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) November 21, 2022
Walking over a bridge in Alex that crosses the Jukskei River, we’re able to see some of the factors causing the high polution in the river which makes us unsafe to even swim in. Some being extensive dumping and people living right next to the river #FloodAwareness #SaferJoburg pic.twitter.com/uochfm6WWZ
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) November 21, 2022
