Two people swept away by Tugela River near Mandeni

The body of an eight-year-old girl has been recovered after she was swept away by the Tugela River near Mandeni on Tuesday morning.

Her body was found approximately one kilometer downstream from where she and a 37 year old were swept away in the Sundumbili area.

According to IPSS Search and Rescue, they were among three people who were attempting to cross the river.

The IPSS team was dispatched alongside Umhlali SAPS K9 Search and Rescue and Empangeni Search and Rescue to assist Sundumbili SAPS with the search.

Search and Rescue teams, with the assistance of K9 Bandit from Empangeni Search and Rescue, recovered the body of the girl while the search continues for the 37 year old.

“The Tugela River is currently full and fast-flowing which makes search efforts difficult, but teams will remain on scene until conditions become too dangerous to continue.

“Our condolences to the friends and family of the deceased, ” IPSS said.

“The recent flooding in Ladysmith has lead to many rivers in KZN becoming flooded. We urge people to avoid crossing low-laying bridges during this time.”

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