Update: 3 dead as storm leaves trail of devastation in Margate

Police have embarked on a difficult mission to extricate the bodies of three people from a vehicle that is believed to have been swept off the road and down an embankment in Margate, KZN, during yesterday’s storm.

The storm lashed the area yesterday, resulting in flash floods.

Members of Port Shepstone K9 Search and Rescue Unit were on the scene early this morning, using the jaws of life to break open the vehicle and access the victims’ bodies.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that a couple and their child were in the car. A full police report is still awaited to confirm these details.

Initial reports indicate that the Margate CBD was the hardest hit.

Roads, buildings and infrastructure have been washed away in some places.

Eskom says the storm resulted in extensive power outages, and technicians have started to restore power in certain areas. Other areas are inaccessible.

“It’s important to treat all installations as live,” says an Eskom spokesperson.

Residents are urged to be on high alert as the South African Weather Service has released a Level 5 warning for today. Disruptive rain is predicted for Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Umzumbe and Umdoni areas.

Images of the destruction in Margate, shared on numerous WhatsApp groups: