JUKSKEI RIVER BAPTISM: 15 church members swept away by flash floods in Johannesburg, South Africa

File Picture: About 15 church members were reportedly swept away by flash floods in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday while conducting a baptism ritual.

They were conducting a baptism ritual in the Jukskei River and were caught in a flash flood following heavy rains in the Bramley Park area, eNCA News reported citing Johannesburg Emergency Services.

Johannesburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said at least two people have drowned. He also said search-and-rescue operations continue on Sunday (today). He said:

We immediately activated operations along that river stream up until 10 pm on Saturday night.

We will be resuming on Sunday morning to continue with our search looking for the 15 other people who are alleged to be missing.

Of course they might have run while the storm came through so we will also activate the services of the local pastor to try and remove any uncertainty about their whereabouts.

Part of Grayston Drive was closed on Saturday as emergency medical services scoured the area for survivors and more bodies, according to The Citizen.

At least 20 bodies had been pulled from the river early on Saturday evening, The Citizen reported citing a Private Security company, Vision Tactical.