THE search for the 10 missing people in Ladysmith, KZN continues on Thursday, 29 December.
The number of bodies recovered currently stands at 14. The incident happened following flash floods that struck Ladysmith on Christmas Eve, 24 December.
And six of the deceased are from one family. It's alleged that at about 11pm on Christmas Eve, a riverbank along Bellspruit collapsed, causing severe flooding.
KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesman Siboniso Mngadi confirmed that the number of people who have tragically died as a result of the floods has risen to 14, while the search and rescue teams remain on the ground.
He said the number of missing persons has also risen as more people have reported to the police.
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He said the hard-hit Msimango family of Roosboom, in particular, reported six family members missing, but all have since been recovered.
"The total death toll in KZN province for the month of December now stands at 18 people, with further incidents reported in Mandani, Dannhouser and Dundee," he said.
He said the department continues to provide disaster relief to all affected families and support to the bereaved.
"With the South African Weather Service predicting that rain will continue to fall in various parts of the province, we urge the public to exercise caution when travelling," he said.
Police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the search and rescue operation following the floods in Ladysmith continued on Thursday, 28 December.
Police divers from K9 Search and Rescue, officers from Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Umhlali, Empangeni, Vryheid and Newcastle worked tirelessly and recovered six more bodies, bringing the total number of bodies recovered to 13.
"The search, which is also being supported by NSRI Station 5, Alfred Duma Municipality, Al-Imdaad Foundation, Sharaj Rescue, Working on Fire and other private organisations, will continue until all the bodies are found," he said.
