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Nine people have been reported died in South Africa and eight others missing after a flash flood in Johannesburg’s Jukskei river on Sunday.

Rescue teams who resumed their search of the river on Sunday after stopping late on Saturday evening said the  river washed away worshipers taking part in a church ceremony.

Some of the more than 30 congregants were standing on rocks in the river on Saturday when a torrent of water surged through, an eyewitness said.

The pastor was saved after he clung on to an overhanging tree branch as he was being carried away, the witness added.

Reports indicates that two bodies were recovered on Saturday evening, and a further seven were found when the rescue mission resumed on Sunday morning.

Family members have been identifying their deceased loved ones, according to local reports, which suggest the operation is now a search and recovery rather than rescue mission.

Johannesburg emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said officials repeatedly warned residents about the dangers of taking part in religious ceremonies along the river – particularly after weeks of heavy rainfall in the city left many streams full.

“Our residents, especially congregants who normally practice these kinds of rituals, will be tempted to go to these river streams.

“Our message to them is to exercise caution as and when they conduct these rituals.”

Cleansing rituals and baptisms are often held along the Jukskei river, which runs along many townships including Alexandra, in the east of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city.

Mr Mulaudzi tweeted footage of emergency crews including a helicopter preparing to resume the search on Sunday morning.

He also shared a video of rescue teams walking along and in the river in the search for victims.