After worshipers taking part in a church ceremony were swept away by a sudden flood in a river, nine people have perished and eight are still missing in South Africa.
On Saturday, an eyewitness claimed that some of the congregation’s more than 30 members were standing on river rocks when a torrent of water rushed through.
The witness claimed that as the pastor was being taken away, he managed to save himself by holding on to a hanging tree branch.
Today, rescuers picked up their search of the Jukskei River in Johannesburg.
During the rainy season in South Africa, it is infamous for flooding.
The police, fire department, and specialized water rescue teams are also involved in the search operation.
According to Robert Mulaudzi, spokesman for the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, they have so far discovered seven more dead today after recovering two on Saturday.
Victor Ncube, who was attending the church service, informed the local news channel eNCA that he was able to rescue five persons who had been washed 100 meters downstream and into the river.
He replied that he couldn’t try to save some since they had been transported too far down the river.
Eight of the 33 people who had attended the event are still missing, according to the authorities.
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