It is said that close to 400 people have died with 27 still missing. 

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in a statement says Premier Sisi Ntombela has requested that aid be provided to the neighbouring province. 

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Meanwhile, the Department of Health's spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, in a statement says seven Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel have been deployed to that province, which includes two highly specialised personnel. 

Mvambi says the Free State EMS team will join the broader integrated multidisciplinary disaster management team and depart for KZN on Sunday morning.

"The devastating floods that swept through KZN in the past week have left many families reeling in shock after reports that about 395 people have died whilst many have disappeared and others displaced. This has led to more calls for help to find those that have disappeared. 

"There’s also hope in some that their loved ones might still be alive whilst some have accepted the possibility that their loved ones might be dead. Some families have expressed the importance of finding the mortal remains of their loved ones for closure," he says.

The health department, as part of the integrated multidisciplinary disaster management in the province, has considered lending a helping hand in this national search, find and rescue effort.

"The department will be sending its five Rescue Technician Practitioners with Advanced Life Support, supported by two other highly specialised personnel who are also lecturers at the Free State College of Emergency Care," he adds.

These Free State EMS personnel joining the KZN search, find and rescue effort are set to utilise the following key specialist capabilities:

• High Angle 1&2
• Fire search & rescue
• Hazmat which deals with Harzadous chemical incidents
• Hard to reach confined space
• Water Rescue

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