The KwaZulu-Natal disaster management unit was on Saturday providing support to the families of seven people who died — including a two-year-old girl — when a marquee was struck by lightning.
“We are visiting the seven families and offering them support. Tomorrow [Sunday] we will go visit the hospitals,” said Mthokozisi Duza, the head of the province’s disaster management unit.
Sixty-seven people were also injured. Fourteen of were receiving treatment in local hospitals.
He said details about the incident were sketchy and an inquest docket had been opened.
Parents and children had gathered for a Christmas party on Friday afternoon at the Inkosiyethu crèche when the lightning struck.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said: “At 2pm whilst the function was in progress, lightning struck a tent that was erected at the crèche.
“Five people died on the spot whilst two passed away at a local hospital.”
The dead were identified as Sevile Moya (two) Thobisile Buthelezi (35) Thalitha Sukazi (44) Thembhekile Mathonsi (20) Nondumiso Khumalo, (24) a Mrs Mathenjwa (33) and a Mrs Nsthangase, (40).
South African Weather Services forecaster Mark Todd said a marquee or a tent was not a safe structure to be in during a storm.
“The safest place to be is inside a solid structure or building with walls, or a car with the windows rolled up, he said.
“When lightning strikes a house the electricity gets conducted around the frame of the house because it is earthed well, but a tent does not have solid walls and is not earthed well, so if it is struck the electricity can go through the tent and hit people inside.” – Sapa