Heavy rain causes retaining wall collapse, resulting in two deaths in Cato Manor

Two people died after a retaining wall collapsed on their informal houses during heavy rain on Saturday in the Nkanini Informal Settlement in Cato Manor, Durban. Picture: Supplied.

Two people died after a retaining wall collapsed on their informal houses during heavy rain on Saturday in the Nkanini Informal Settlement in Cato Manor, Durban. Picture: Supplied.

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DURBAN - Two people died after a retaining wall collapsed during Saturday night’s heavy rain in the Nkanini informal settlement in Cato Manor.

The eThekwini Municipality said its Disaster Management and Emergency Services responded to the incident in Ward 30.

The City said the adverse weather experienced on December 21 led to the collapse of a retaining wall onto two informal structures in the settlement.

Emergency services, including the City’s Disaster Management, Fire Department, as well as the South African Police Service, Pathology, and Emergency Medical Services, responded to the scene where people were found trapped under rubble.

The multidisciplinary team worked through the night to aid the trapped victims, said the City.

“Unfortunately, two people, a 38-year-old male and an 18-year-old female from one structure, were declared deceased on the scene. No fatalities or other injuries were recorded from the second affected structure.”

According to the municipality, inclement weather affected other parts of the City, where incidents of fallen trees were reported on Warwick Avenue, Kennedy Road, Prospect Hall Road, Currie Road in Morningside, and Inqawe Circle in uMlazi.

All incidents related to fallen trees were reported and attended to by the relevant departments, the City said.

“The City’s Disaster Management and other emergency teams will provide humanitarian assistance to the affected victims and activate other government services required.”

The Municipality appealed to the public to report any emergencies on 031 361 0000.

Two people died after a retaining wall collapsed on their informal houses during heavy rain on Saturday in the Nkanini Informal Settlement in Cato Manor, Durban. Picture: Supplied.

Two people died after a retaining wall collapsed on their informal houses during heavy rain on Saturday in the Nkanini Informal Settlement in Cato Manor, Durban. Picture: Supplied.

THE MERCURY