At least 20 people have been rushed to hospital while houses and cars have been damaged in Jagersfontein after a mine dam burst early Sunday morning flooded several areas in the small mining town, which lies about 110km southwest of provincial capital Bloemfontein.
Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela expressed shock at the incident which happened around 6am and has promised assistance to those affected.
“The incident has swept away houses and cars – however, the provincial government has activated the disaster management team and the Joint Operation Centre to determine the extent of the disaster and also carry out evacuation processes where necessary,” reads part of a statement issued by her office.
No fatalities have been reported.
About 20 people were treated for minor injuries at Diamant Hospital in Jagersfontein, while four others were taken to Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg.
The worst affected areas include Charlesville and Itumeleng.
While the clinic and the hospital in Jagersfontein were not affected by the flooding, there is no electricity in the entire town.
Ntombela is expected to visit the affected area today.
Earlier, the SABC reported that several houses in the Charlesville residential area had been swept away after the dam wall collapsed.
The main road leading into the town is also flooded.
The cause of the dam wall collapse is yet to be established.
Kopanong Local Municipality spokesperson Solomzi Phama told OFM that over 30 houses could be affected by the floods.
He said some of the affected residents have been relocated to a nearby farm for safety as most of their belongings were swept away by the floods.
Police and emergency medical services are assisting those affected.
Jagersfontein is historically known as a diamond mining town.
History website www.britannica.com says a 50-carat diamond found on a farm in the area in 1870 led to the establishment of the town in 1882 and the opening of a diamond pipe mine six years later.
The second and eighth largest rough diamonds ever discovered in the world were taken from the area.
There are no major mining operations in the town today, leaving thousands of residents unemployed. – Staff Reporter
