Pretoria – At least seven people were killed and four seriously injured by a lightning strike in Mthonjaneni, KwaNongoma Ward 3.
According to reports, the deceased were participating in a traditional ceremony hosted on Saturday by one of their neighbours.
Preliminary reports indicate that the victims were inside one of the houses when a bolt of lightning struck. Paramedics from KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services responded and four people were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has since deployed disaster management personnel to respond to the incident and support the affected families.
MEC Dube-Ncube has, on behalf of the provincial government and Premier Senzo Mchunu, expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
"Our hearts go out to the families of these victims and the entire communities, which continue to suffer from the effects of natural disasters. Our dedicated staff has been dispatched to Nongoma and we are doing all we can to offer disaster relief,” MEC Dube-Ncube said.
She said it was unfortunate that the incident comes hot on the heels of another lightning incident, which left six people dead in Colenso and Paulpietersburg.
Disaster management teams on high alert
Meanwhile, the department said its disaster management teams remain on high alert as storms continue to pound the province with increasing intensity, wreaking havoc in communities.
MEC Dube-Ncube assured the public that they are not facing these natural disasters without a helping hand from the provincial government.
“Our expert teams are working round the clock to assist the affected individuals and families," she said.
A high powered government delegation is expected to visit the families of the deceased. – SAnews.gov.za
