Three passengers missing after aircraft vanishes in KwaZulu-Natal
An aircraft has gone missing with passengers on board in KwaZulu-Natal. The Pyper Cherokee aircraft with the registration of ZSKFB was last seen on Sunday.
It was carrying three individuals. The aircraft left the Virginia Airport at around 3pm and did not reach its intended destination and was last tracked flying over Ladysmith, heading south towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown.
The MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma has announced that he is in touch with experts and officials from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) following the disappearance.
Duma said that understanding the severe weather patterns predicted by the SA Weather Services (Saws), he has decided to support ARCC with their search and rescue activities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Motorists in KZN warned to stay away as snow forces N2 closure
Heavy snowfall has prompted the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements to close the N2 between Kokstad and Umzimkhulu, warning motorists and so-called 'snow chasers' to stay clear of the area amid dangerous driving conditions. MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma announced the closure on Tuesday, citing severe weather that has already left trucks stranded and traffic severely congested. 'To save lives, we have decided to close completely the road between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg and R603 Tacoma to Reit,' he said. Duma confirmed that the province has deployed more than ten motor graders along key routes to prevent snow buildup from exceeding 30cm. 'Drivers of motor graders are currently being sharpened to respond with speed and a sense of urgency to remove snow,' he explained. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), in collaboration with local traffic police from Kokstad and Ray Nkonyeni municipalities, is actively managing the situation. Also, their teams are redirecting traffic, assisting stuck vehicles, and working to clear the snow from major routes. The department prioritises critical corridors, including the N2 around Kokstad and Port Shepstone, the N3 between Harrismith and Tugela Toll, and the R617 between Kokstad and Underberg. These areas are among the hardest hit by the storm. KwaZulu-Natal has three Level 6 Orange warnings for disruptive snow, heavy rainfall, and gale-force winds across its southern regions. Duma is scheduled to meet with Ugu District Mayor Skhumbuzo Mqadi, Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality Mayor Zandile Mzindle, and other local leaders to coordinate ongoing responses. 'We therefore urge motorists and members of the general public to avoid that area at all costs by delaying their trips to Kokstad,' said Duma. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Three passengers missing after aircraft vanishes in KwaZulu-Natal
An aircraft has gone missing with passengers on board in KwaZulu-Natal. The Pyper Cherokee aircraft with the registration of ZSKFB was last seen on Sunday. It was carrying three individuals. The aircraft left the Virginia Airport at around 3pm and did not reach its intended destination and was last tracked flying over Ladysmith, heading south towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown. The MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma has announced that he is in touch with experts and officials from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) following the disappearance. Duma said that understanding the severe weather patterns predicted by the SA Weather Services (Saws), he has decided to support ARCC with their search and rescue activities.
IOL News
02-05-2025
- IOL News
KZN's swift action: 144 residents evacuated from mudslide disaster in uMlazi
Residents whose homes were damaged after recent heavy rains caused mudslides in uMlazi H Section are being evacuated by the KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements. Image: Supplied The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements has evacuated 144 people whose homes were damaged after recent heavy rains caused severe mudslides in uMlazi H Section, south of Durban. Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya stated that the team is collaborating with the ward committee to complete the evacuation of the remaining 72 residents. He noted that some of these individuals were currently at work, while others were temporarily residing with relatives. 'We continue with the verification process to ensure that nobody is left behind,' he said. This comes after six people were injured in P Section last week during the same storm as a result of mudslides. KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi ordered that these affected residents in P Section be relocated and that an evaluation of the entire area should be conducted. This evaluation found that other houses in the vicinity had also been affected. On Wednesday, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, together with KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, visited uMlazi H Section to assess the damage caused to about 56 houses, also affected by mudslides. One of the houses that was damaged after recent heavy rains. Image: Supplied Based on what she had seen, Simelane said the relocation of these households would be the best solution. 'While the assessment is conducted, the immediate task is to relocate about 56 families to Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA),' said Simelane. The minister directed that the most affected families should be relocated within 48 hours. MEC Duma said the evacuation process would begin on Thursday. 'We wish to announce that today at 15h00, more than 200 community members will be evacuated.' According to Sibiya, evacuations continued from 11pm on Thursday to 2am on Friday. Sibiya said the department will monitor the evacuation on site and be with the community as they embark on this journey. Duma said he received a report at 3am on Friday and confirmed that evacuations would resume later that morning at 9am. In a progress report on Friday afternoon, Duma said that he has been interacting with Minister Simelane, informing her about the progress of the evacuation of 216 community members from H Section. He said 144 people, including children, had been evacuated and were being accommodated at Lagoon Centre in eManzimtoti The evacuated residents are being accommodated at the Lagoon Centre in eManzimtoti Image: Supplied Duma stated that on Thursday afternoon, the department inspected the self-catering accommodation facility and was satisfied with its condition. He said this facility will help these storm victims recover from the traumatic experience of living in collapsing houses. 'Working with eThekwini Municipality, meals such as breakfast and supper will be provided for 14 days starting from this weekend. After 14 days, food parcels will be provided to the families for self-catering purposes. One of the units at the at Lagoon Centre in eManzimtoti. Image: Supplied
