Heavy snowfall in South Africa has left hundreds of drivers stranded on major highways, particularly the N3, which connects Johannesburg and Durban.
Blanketed in Snow
Authorities reported that a severe snowstorm blanketed the eastern region starting Friday, leading to long traffic jams stretching up to 30 kilometers.
Emergency services have been working tirelessly to rescue those trapped, with some rescue teams arriving as late as 16 hours after the first reports of stranded vehicles, according to Digi24.
Tragically, the harsh conditions claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman who succumbed to hypothermia after spending the night trapped in a minibus with fellow passengers.
'Roland Robertson from Midlands EMS shared that the travelers, stuck near Mooiplaas, were unprepared for such extreme weather, lacking blankets or adequate clothing to survive the cold.
Rescue Efforts Continues
Rescue operations faced significant challenges, particularly in the Van Reenen Pass of the Drakensberg Mountains, approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Johannesburg.
Many vehicles were abandoned or stuck, complicating efforts to clear the roads and locate those still trapped. Thania Dhoogra, an operations manager for the N3 concession company, described the situation as an "impenetrable blockage" of vehicles, with snow reaching depths of up to two meters in some areas.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities have not provided a clear estimate of how many people and vehicles remain stranded.
The South African road safety organization "Arrive Alive" highlighted the severe impact of the storm, which has disrupted travel and posed significant dangers to those caught in the extreme weather.
