Deadly Snowstorm Leaves South African Motorists Stranded

A rare and deadly snowstorm in South Africa has resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman and left hundreds of motorists trapped in a massive traffic backup spanning 30 kilometers. The snowstorm, which began on Friday, caught drivers and passengers off guard along major routes, particularly on the N3 highway linking Johannesburg to Durban. Two days after the initial snow began falling, emergency recovery efforts continue as the traffic backup remains impenetrable in certain areas due to abandoned and broken-down vehicles.

The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of weather events in regions not typically accustomed to such severe winter conditions. While some inland areas of South Africa experience light snow during the winter, heavy snowfall is an anomaly, particularly the unprecedented amount of snow reported in this storm. Unconfirmed media reports suggest that as much as two meters of snow fell in some areas, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Tragic Death Due to Hypothermia

The death of the 39-year-old woman from hypothermia is a grim reminder of the dangers associated with being unprepared for such conditions. According to Midlands EMS emergency services operations manager Roland Robertson, the woman, whose identity has not been revealed, spent Friday night stranded in a minibus taxi with other passengers near the town of Mooiplaas. The area is located roughly 430 kilometers from Johannesburg, where travelers were left exposed to the extreme cold with no blankets or other supplies to keep them warm.

“They weren’t prepared for what happened,” Robertson told ENCA news. He described the passengers’ harrowing night spent in freezing temperatures, noting that the woman was later taken to the hospital but succumbed to the effects of the cold. This tragic incident highlights the vulnerability of those caught in the snowstorm and the difficulty of providing timely aid in such an unprecedented situation.

Unprecedented Snowfall Brings Travel Chaos

The N3 highway, one of South Africa’s busiest routes connecting the economic hub of Johannesburg to the port city of Durban, was particularly hard hit by the snowstorm. Roland Robertson emphasized that conditions on the highway were catastrophic, with vehicles becoming stranded on Friday night as snow continued to pile up.

Van Reenen’s Pass in the Drakensberg Mountains, located about 330 kilometers southeast of Johannesburg, was among the worst-affected areas. This mountainous region is challenging even under normal conditions, and the sudden influx of heavy snow created a crisis. The N3 Toll Concession, the organization responsible for managing the route, confirmed that recovery operations were underway on Sunday. However, operations manager Thania Dhoogra reported that progress was slow due to the large number of vehicles blocking the road. Some abandoned vehicles were stacked four abreast, making it nearly impossible for road graders to clear the path or for search and rescue teams to reach stranded motorists.

“The latest report we have is that there is an approximately 30-kilometre backlog of traffic that’s currently impenetrable,” Dhoogra told ENCA.

While authorities were able to escort some vehicles out of the affected areas, the extensive backlog of traffic, combined with ongoing snowfall, has severely hindered rescue operations. The number of people and vehicles still stranded remains unclear, but authorities are working diligently to assess the situation.

Stranded Travelers and Difficult Rescue Conditions

As efforts to rescue the remaining motorists continue, the severity of the weather conditions poses significant challenges. Emergency services are racing against time to reach those who may still be exposed to freezing temperatures, which pose a severe risk of hypothermia and other cold-related health issues.

South Africa, while experiencing a relatively mild winter compared to other parts of the world, is unaccustomed to this level of snowfall. The lack of preparedness among travelers, coupled with the scarcity of emergency resources designed for snowstorms, has amplified the impact of the storm.

Authorities have not yet released official figures on the number of people or vehicles stranded, but the situation remains critical as recovery operations persist. Local media reports continue to speculate on the extent of the snowfall, with some sources claiming that as much as two meters have fallen in parts of the Drakensberg Mountains.

The tragic loss of life and the ongoing rescue efforts serve as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of severe weather events and the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters. As the situation unfolds, authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the remaining stranded motorists while navigating treacherous conditions.