Search and rescue underway after dam wall breaks in Jagersfontein

Posted by Anita Froneman on 11 September 2022

At least four people are missing, one dead and several injured in the Free State town of Jagersfontein after the wall of a mine dam broke, causing a flood on Sunday, 11 September.

Residents were evacuated and a disaster management team is on-site, reports Times Live. Cell phone towers, roads and houses have been washed away.

‘The town has been separated by the mud so the two communities you can’t access them. There’s a lot of people who have been admitted to hospital – over 20,’ said speaker for the Kopanong Municipality Jerry Moitse according to EWN.

The health implications of the disaster are yet to be assessed, but there are concerns as the dam was used to store byproducts of mining operations in the town.

The cause of the break has not been confirmed. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy ‏said it is conducting investigations.

Footage from the scene below.

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