Search and rescue operations are continuing today in the Swartkops River for a student from Eastcape Midlands TVET College who went missing during the flash floods in Kariega last weekend.
The body of another student, who was in the same car as the missing student, as well as the car, have been found in the Swartkops River, near Cuyler Street on Friday afternoon.
Elmari van de Merwe, Assistant Director: Marketing & Communications at Eastcape Midlands TVET College, said in a media statement yesterday that the student was Asemahle Mdiniso, a 21-year-old National Certificate (NCV) Level 2 student from Cape Town.
Express previously reported that Asemahle and a fellow student had been reported missing after they were last seen leaving with a friend whose car was swept away by the recent floods. Fortunately, the friend has been rescued.
According to a statement issued by police spokesperson Col. Priscilla Naidu on Friday, a total of 10 people have been reported to have drowned or died in the recent floods that hit the Nelson Mandela Bay metro and surrounds. On Saturday, June 1, severe storms and heavy rains battered and caused extreme damage in many areas of the metro, in particular, Kwanobuhle, Kariega, Walmer, Blue Horizon Bay, and Kamesh. In KwaNobuhle, four deceased persons were found, while police in Kamesh, Kabega Park, Chatty, and Walmer reported one death each. In Kariega, two deaths were reported.
“Searches for people who have not yet been accounted for are continuing by the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue and Diving Units,” said Col. Naidu.
This is a developing story. UD Express reporter, Shanti Jafta, is currently on the scene where the rescue operations are in progress in the Swartkops River.
