By Motshwari Mofokeng
The search for the final victim of the Vaal River drowning tragedy has come to an end after rescue teams recovered the body of a 25-year-old man on Friday, bringing closure to a week-long operation.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that members of the Provincial Search and Rescue unit retrieved the man’s body at about midday near Douglas after several days of intensive searching.
The operation, which began on June 18, was hampered by difficult conditions, including poor underwater visibility that forced rescuers to temporarily suspend the search before resuming with expanded resources.
Authorities have now confirmed that all six people believed to have drowned in the incident have been recovered from the river.
The tragedy has highlighted the dangers posed by South Africa’s rivers, particularly during winter when cold water temperatures, strong currents and reduced visibility can complicate rescue efforts.
Police have extended their condolences to the families of the victims and praised the dedication of the search and rescue teams, who worked tirelessly despite challenging conditions to recover all those missing.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the drowning are continuing, with police expected to determine the events that led to the fatal incident.
The recovery of the final victim brings a measure of closure for grieving families after days of uncertainty, while authorities continue to urge the public to exercise extreme caution when entering or travelling near rivers and other open bodies of water.
Email: Motshwari@onenews.co.za
