Tornado tears through Duduza homes

Emergency services personnel are finalising the injury toll and assessing the damage after the reported tornado in Duduza, near Nigel (file picture).

Emergency services personnel are finalising the injury toll and assessing the damage after the reported tornado in Duduza, near Nigel (file picture).

Published Oct 3, 2011

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Johannesburg - Hundreds of people were left homeless when a tornado tore through the Duduza township near Nigel, east of Johannesburg, on Sunday, paramedics said.

“A hundred and five individuals were injured,” said ER24 spokesperson Andre Visser.

Several people were injured during the tornado, Ekurhuleni mayoral spokesperson Prince Hamnca said on Sunday night.

“Some are still being treated but we will only be able to give proper information tomorrow (Monday). They (emergency services staff) are doing a head count,” he said.

The R550 road in Nigel had been closed because of fallen trees.

Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe and Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele were on the scene, said Hamnca.

Earlier on Sunday, a nine-year-old boy was killed and 42 people injured in what paramedics said was a tornado in Ficksburg in the Free State.

“It has killed one and left more than 1 000 houses destroyed,” said Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha.

Hundreds of people were left homeless. - Sapa

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