Six firefighters killed in South Africa

Six firefighters died after being trapped by a runaway wildfire in eastern South Africa, authorities said this afternoon, taking to 14 the number of lives lost in just over a week of blazes in KwaZulu-Natal province.

Three female firefighters were killed on Sunday when they became trapped in the fire believed to have been started by poachers around 40 kilometres (24 miles) from the city of Pietermaritzberg, authorities said.

Three others died later in hospital, uMngeni municipality mayor Chris Pappas said. One more was fighting for his life in hospital.

The wildfire is believed to have been started by poachers who use flames to drive out animals, Pappas told journalists.

The six who lost their lives were from a private group contracted by Sappi Forests for firefighting and forestry services, the company said.

“The adverse weather conditions contributed to uncontrollable fires which ultimately trapped eight members of the team,” Sappi said in a statement.

“In the tragic events that ensued, three firefighters were unable to escape and suffered fatal wounds at the scene.” Three with severe burns were airlifted to hospital but died later, it said.

It takes to 14 the number of people killed in wildfires in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal since July 6 amid warnings of fire risks due to dry, hot and windy conditions, a provincial official told AFP.

br/cw

SAPPI

AFP

(NAMPA / AFP)