The search and rescue mission for 15 congregants who were swept away by flash floods during a baptism ceremony that left two people dead in Bramley Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday has resumed.

Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said rescue teams were able to rescue one woman while a search has been launched for the other 15. Two congregants drowned while 15 others are still missing. A group of 33 congregants aged between three and 60 were performing a ritual at the stream along Corlett Drive, when a storm broke.

“Rescue teams received a call around 5pm. On arrival, we found that there was a storm that led to the congregants being swept away. Of the 33 congregants, we managed to rescue one lady, and two people were confirmed dead on site and their bodies were recovered.” “We have a list of about 15 people who are unaccounted for who were part of the group."

Saturday's search was called off at about 10pm due to a lack of visibility and resumed again on Sunday morning at 8am when aquatic rescue teams, SAPS divers, Gauteng EMS and a police helicopter swung into action.

“So far we have not recovered anybody of the 15 who are believed to have been swept away, but we are continuing to search along where the incident occurred, right down the stream, in hopes of finding them,” Mulaudzi said.

sibiyan@sowetan.co.za