A search and rescue operation is underway on the corner of Bradford Street and Liverpool Road in Benoni South in Ekurhuleni to save three employees from a local plumbing company who are reportedly trapped inside a manhole.

Benoni City Times has been on site and according to information received from the emergency crews, the plumbers entered the manhole at around 20:30 last night to unblock a sewer line when unknown circumstances led to their entrapment.

CCTV footage viewed by members of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), Benoni K9 and Gauteng Search and Rescue Units, who are currently on the scene, reveals that one of the employees entered the manhole and thereafter two others followed. None of them re-emerged.

DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi says they are conducting a technical search and rescue operation to drain the sewerage water below, which is about five meters deep.

@benonicitytimes

A search and rescue operation is underway on the corner of Bradford Street and Liverpool Road in Benoni to save three private plumbers who are reportedly trapped inside a manhole. #Boksburg #benonitiktok #ekurhuleni #trapped

♬ original sound – Benoni City Times – Benoni City Times

Ntladi explains that once a satisfactory level is reached, rescuers will enter the drain equipped with oxygen apparatus due to the high methane levels coming from the manhole system.

@benonicitytimes

A search and rescue operation is underway on the corner of Bradford Street and Liverpool Road in #Benoni to save three private plumbers who are reportedly trapped inside a manhole. #Boksburg #benonitiktok #ekurhuleni #trapped

♬ original sound – Benoni City Times – Benoni City Times

He adds that when they launched their search and rescue operation this morning, they found equipment belonging to the plumbers around the manhole.

This is a developing story. Benoni City Times will publish more information when it becomes available.