Tragic Mudslide Leaves Three Children Orphaned in eThekwini

A devastating mudslide, triggered by more than 24 hours of torrential rain, has claimed the lives of two parents in eThekwini, leaving their three young children orphaned. The collapse of their home’s walls buried the couple under the rubble, while their children managed to escape unharmed.

Emergency responders, including the eThekwini Fire Department, SAPS Search and Rescue, and Metro Police Search and Rescue, rushed to the scene shortly after 7 a.m. According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, teams navigated treacherous muddy terrain to reach the site.

“After three hours of searching through the rubble with heavy machinery, rescue teams located the bodies of the two parents. Despite their efforts, both victims had succumbed to their injuries,” said Jamieson.

Elsewhere in the city, emergency crews recovered another body from a collapsed home, also destroyed by a mudslide. eThekwini Municipality has since confirmed that six people have died due to the severe weather conditions.

Authorities have activated the Disaster Management Operations Centre to coordinate relief efforts and assist affected residents.

Beaches Temporarily Closed Amid Contaminated Water Concerns

As a precautionary measure, several beaches have been temporarily closed due to pollution caused by floodwaters. Contaminated water from flooded estuaries has led to the closure of:

• uMdloti Beach
• Isipingo Beach
• Pipeline Beach
• Toti Main Beach
• Warner Beach
• Winklespruit Beach
• uMgababa Beach

Municipal officials have stated that these beaches will reopen once conditions improve and the water is deemed safe.

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