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Search to continue for residents missing at Jagersfontein

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Free State search and rescue teams are expected to continue their search on Monday to find people who are still missing in the Jagersfontein flood-stricken area.

One person has been confirmed dead while four are still missing.

The spokesperson of the provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Sipho Towa says 73 patients were treated for injuries at the Diamant Hospital in Jagersfontein while 16 patients were discharged while the rest were kept for further observation. 

A slime dam at an abandoned local mine burst early on Sunday and swept away houses, cars and livestock.

The provincial spokesperson for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Sello Thebe, said that MEC Mxolisi Dukwana will attend an inspection of the affected areas with Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela to brief Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Premier Ntombela's spokesperson, Palesa Chubisi, said the Free State department of education is liaising with district officials and principals to assess the state of education facilities, including access from the town and townships to the schools.

"The Social Development District offices are evacuating people in the affected areas to nearby farms. Humanitarian organisations such as Meals on Wheels, SA Red Cross and many more are assessing the situation to provide for the basic needs of residents affected by the flood.”

Municipal spokesperson Solomzi Phama indicated that over 100 houses have been affected whilst the power station supplying electricity to the town has also been damaged.