Flood: KZN Premier assures of ‘full swing’ search as 6 more bodies are recovered

By Hauwa Ali

The KwaZulu-Natal Premier has assured South Africans that search missions were back in “full swing” despite the hindrance caused by extensive damage to the province.

The premier made the assurance on Monday as 6 more bodies were recovered amid ongoing rescue operations following devastating flooding in the country’s east coast.

“As of this morning, KwaZulu-Natal received 38 callouts and on the scenes that we attended, six bodies were recovered. We stand at approximately 63 persons missing or unaccounted for. That toll now stands at 443.

“This morning, the Executive Council approved the provincial policy on government support funeral assistance to people who passed away as a result of flood disasters. Municipalities have policies to assist the needy and the indigent and are currently conducting profiling in line with these policies ” he said.

Rain Flood had engulfed parts of the coastal city of Durban and surrounding areas early last week destroying roads, hospitals, and sweeping away homes and properties.

The heavy flooding has so far killed 443 people and left more than 40,000 homeless.