New mom among 7 dead as flooded river washes away taxi in Lesotho

The Thaba-Tseka district of Lesotho. Picture: Graham Maclachlan

The Thaba-Tseka district of Lesotho. Picture: Graham Maclachlan

Published Mar 24, 2018

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Maseru, Lesotho - Seven people died when a flooded river washed

away a minibus taxi in Lesotho, police said on Saturday.

The taxi, filled to capacity with 15 passengers, was trying to cross

a bridge in the district of Thaba Tseka on Thursday when it was swept

away by the Linakeng River, said police spokesman Mpiti Mopeli.

Rescue workers began to search for missing passengers

immediately, but heavy rains made the search difficult. Many of the

bodies were discovered along different places on the river's banks on

Saturday morning, said Mpiti.

One of those killed in the accident was a woman who had recently

given birth to a baby, the police spokesman said.

Parts of southern African have experienced heavy rain for several

days. In neighbouring South Africa, parts of the capital Pretoria

were left without power due to heavy rainfall.

dpa

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