At least 18 people have swept away in a flash flood during a reported baptism ceremony by Masowe Church at the Jukskei River near Sandton, north of Johannesburg, on 3 December 2022. Of those, 14 people have drowned.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon, the NSRI were alerted by Netcare 911 ambulance services at around 4.30pm. During an initial search Fire and Rescue Services recovered a female body on a sandbank in the Jukskei River at the Grayston Drive Bridge on Katherine Street.
Speaking to TimesLIVE on Saturday, Johannesburg emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi more 12 bodies had been recovered.
@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
‘We are aware of one person who we need to find. This might, however, change if family members come forward to report their loved ones are missing and were part of the ritual,’ he said.
The search was called off on Sunday evening due to the lack of visibility and by Monday the death toll had risen to 14.
It has not been ruled out that one or more cases may not be related to the church baptism and may be from isolated incidents that had not been reported. Investigations are continuing.
This is a developing story.
Picture: Screenshot
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