Search and rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate four people who remain missing after a vehicle carrying eight occupants was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a low-lying bridge in uMsinga on Thursday evening, reports The Witness.

The incident happened shortly after 19:00 at Infenebude Bridge on the P17 road in the eNadi area of eMabovini.

According to the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), the vehicle was attempting to cross the bridge when rising floodwaters swept it off the structure and into the current.

Two occupants managed to escape from the vehicle and reach safety, while the other six were carried away by the powerful flow of water.

Provincial disaster management teams, together with the SAPS Search and Rescue unit, were dispatched to the scene shortly after the incident.

Cogta MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi confirmed that two bodies have since been recovered while the search continues for the remaining four occupants.

“Our teams are on the ground and will remain there until the missing persons are located. We have deployed all necessary resources to ensure the search operation continues without delay,” said Buthelezi.

He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and said the department is providing support to those affected by the tragedy.

Disaster management officials remain on high alert across KZN as heavy rainfall continues to affect several areas of the province.

Authorities have urged motorists to avoid attempting to cross low-lying bridges during heavy rains, warning that rapidly rising water levels can quickly turn river crossings into deadly hazards.

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