A ground search for 12 people in two light aircraft that went missing in George’s Valley, Limpopo on Sunday continued in bad weather conditions on Monday afternoon, Search and Rescue South Africa said.
“We’ve had to suspend the air search for now because of the weather but our guys on the ground are still searching,” said spokesperson Johnny Smith.
“The guys on the ground are walking, using 4x4s, [and] climbing. The weather and terrain are not in our favour but we going,” he said.
A South African National Defence Force helicopter, with a rescue team on board, was searching the area.
“The military helicopter is flying because it is well-equipped and can handle the weather,” Smith said.
Staying positive
The search had moved south of Wolkberg, which is part of the Drakensberg ranch, about 80km from Tzaneen.
The planes took off from a landing strip in a small farming community in Tzaneen called Tarentaal on Sunday and were headed to Rand Airport in Germiston.
Overnight foot patrols had searched in Tzaneen for the two planes.
Smith said he was staying positive.
“As far as we concerned we are not searching for a wreck, we want to do a rescue. I always stay positive. If we give up then what is the point of rushing to find them,” he said.
Praying for miracles
The Albatross planes — carrying six people each — were presumed to be in the George’s Valley area, between Polokwane and Tzaneen, Mopani District Municipality spokesperson Mashadi Mathosa said on Sunday.
Rescuers were hopeful that they were still alive, Smith said.
South Africans took to social networking sites and aviation forums on Monday to express concern over news of the missing planes.
One Twitter user wrote: “However bleak it looks I’m still hoping for good news on the 2 missing planes from the Tzaneen air show. Families need to be whole again”.
People were also anxious for updated news on the search for the aircraft.
“Two Albatross Aircraft Missing Tzaneen. Anybody with any news on the aircraft missing in the Tzaneen area,” asked another user.
People on aviation forums were trying to stay positive.
“We can only pray for a miracle” and “Goodluck to the S&R [search and rescue] people”, a tweet read.
Bad weather
The search had been put on hold on Monday morning because the weather had deteriorated.
“We can’t search because the weather is bad. There is fog and low clouds,” said Smith.
“The rescue aircraft are still on the ground for their own safety and will stay there until it is safe enough to go out again.” — Sapa