River sweep at train bridge: Three rescued, three still missing
Three members of a church prayer group have been rescued from the fast-flowing Klein Olifants River, but three others remain missing after being swept away near the train bridge on the R104 outside Middelburg.
A rise in river levels triggered a major rescue effort late today (Sunday) near the train bridge on the R104 (Old Belfast Road) just outside Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
The area beneath the bridge is sometimes used by community members for religious gatherings.
Earlier today, the municipality confirmed that a sluice gate at the Middelburg Dam had been opened to manage rising water levels, sending a powerful surge through the Klein Olifants River.
According to information obtained by the Observer, members of a church prayer group were at the river when the sudden flow swept six of them away. Emergency teams were immediately dispatched after conflicting social media reports initially misidentified the location, with some posts citing the N4. The correct site was later confirmed just after Big 5 on the R104, near a train bridge.
Rescue operations continued into the evening, with people confirming from the scene that three people had been saved. However, three others remain missing in the fast-flowing river. Search teams, including police, ambulance crews, and divers, worked tirelessly until darkness made conditions too dangerous. The search is set to resume at first light.
The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality issued a notice on Saturday, 6 December, warning residents of the dam’s rising levels:
“Municipality Notice:
The Middelburg Dam is currently at 97% capacity, with an inflow of more than 500mm.
One sluice gate will be re-opened by 300mm on 06 December 2025 at 23:00.
Residents are strongly urged to stay away from the Klein Olifants River and avoid all activity near its banks.
— STLM: CES”**
According to the latest municipal notice, received at 20:15, the Middelburg Dam is now at 98.54%, with an inflow of more than 500mm. The sluice gate will remain open by 100mm from 7 December 2025.
Unfortunately, this increase in water flow will make tomorrow’s search efforts at the train bridge extremely difficult and dangerous as teams continue looking for the remaining three victims.
WATCH: https://www.tiktok.com/@middelburgobserver/video/7581149412110421269
@middelburgobserver WATCH: Middelburg train bridge – Sluice water sparks drowning search Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/middelburg-observer/news/2025/12/07/middelburg-train-bridge-sluice-water-sparks-drowning-search/ #MiddelburgObserver #Mpumalanga #BreakingNews #Middelburg Middelburgdam
