Police in Mpumalanga have confirmed that three women were rescued and two others remain missing after being swept away by fast-flowing water near the train bridge at the foot of the Middelburg Dam yesterday afternoon.

Middelburg Observer reports that initial information from people on the scene earlier yesterday indicated that three people had been rescued and three were still missing. However, in an official statement issued by provincial police just before midnight, it was confirmed that only two women are still unaccounted for.

According to the police, the incident happened at about 13:00 yesterday near what is known as the Towers Bridge on the old Belfast Road (R104). A group of six women had gone to the Klein Olifants River to pray when the water level suddenly began to rise rapidly.

One woman noticed the danger, but by then the others had already been caught by the strong current. Three women managed to hold onto tree branches until the SAPS Search and Rescue team arrived and pulled them to safety. Two women were swept away and remain missing.

The search was suspended due to bad weather and dangerous conditions, and will resume today.

Police have urged the public to be cautious during the rainy season and to stay away from rivers and flooded areas.

The acting provincial commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, confirmed that search teams will continue looking for the two missing women.

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