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6 killed after mudslides caused by heavy rainfall in Durban, South Africa


witness.co.za
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:53 UTC
Garrith Jamieson said that they have attended to structural collapses that have been caused by the mudslides from Wednesday night's rain.
© ALS PARAMEDICSGarrith Jamieson said that they have attended to structural collapses that have been caused by the mudslides from Wednesday night's rain.
Emergency teams are racing against time to rescue three people trapped in two separate structural collapses in KwaMakhuta, south of Durban, after heavy rainfall caused mudslides and widespread damage on Wednesday night.

Garrith Jamieson, director of ALS Paramedics, said the first incident involved a landslide tearing through a house, trapping a mother and father underneath the rubble, while their two children managed to escape.

Emergency responders, including the eThekwini Fire Department and SAPS Search and Rescue, are working tirelessly to locate the parents.

In a second incident nearby, one person is believed to be trapped after a landslide destroyed a house.

On Thursday morning, the fire department and ALS Paramedics were on the scene, attempting to free the individual.

Comment: An update:



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Attention

Alabama man found dead under car after hog attack

Anna Young
New York Post
Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:20 UTC
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© Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
An Alabama man's lifeless body was discovered under his car surrounded by a pack of hogs that escaped from their enclosure, according to police.

Steven Kyle Satterfield, 51, was found dead with multiple injuries sustained from pigs he owned at his Piedmont home Monday afternoon, according to the Piedmont Police Department, the Calhoun Journal reported.

"The Piedmont Police Department extends our condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Satterfield," Police Chief Nathan Johnson told the outlet.

"At this time, we ask that people respect the process and refrain from spreading unconfirmed details. Until the autopsy is complete, no additional information is available."

Comment: Two months prior: Woman mauled, killed by neighbor's pigs in 'horrible situation' on Christmas Day in Pataskala, Ohio

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Lightning

Lightning strike kills 3 in Zimbabwe


zimeye.net
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 10:49 UTC
mmmm
A devastating lightning strike at Vanguard Mine in Mberengwa on Wednesday night has claimed the lives of three people, while leaving three others seriously injured. The tragic incident occurred at the mine's shopping center, where the victims had sought shelter in a shop, hoping to escape the storm.

Mberengwa District Development Coordinator, Mr. Vafios Hlabati, confirmed the incident to state media, expressing his condolences to the families of the deceased. Mr. Hlabati also took the opportunity to urge the public to take necessary precautions to avoid being struck by lightning.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by lightning storms, particularly during this time of year. As the country experiences increased rainfall and thunderstorms, it is essential for individuals to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Mr. Hlabati's warning comes at a critical time, and it is crucial that communities take heed of his advice to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
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Cloud Lightning

Another severe storm hits São Paulo, Brazil causing fatal floods


evrimagaci.org
Wed, 19 Feb 2025 13:06 UTC
Rain sweeps cars down São Paulo avenue
Rain sweeps cars down a São Paulo avenue.
One confirmed death as intense rain leads to widespread flooding and power outages across the city.

A severe storm struck São Paulo on the night of February 18, 2025, resulting in tragic consequences and widespread chaos. Reports indicate at least one person drowned when her vehicle was submerged during the deluge, underscoring the storm's ferocity. The victim, whose identity has yet to be disclosed, was found trapped inside her car along Avenida General Edgar Facó, which became one of the hardest-hit areas.

The city's emergency services were inundated with calls, primarily for fallen trees and flooding incidents. The firefighting brigade responded to 59 reports of trees down, 22 calls related to flooding, and three for landslides during the day. By nightfall, the Center for Emergency Management (CGE) issued severe alerts warning residents of heavy rains and potential floods.


Comment: See also this other report from January: Flash flooding hits São Paulo, Brazil - Subway station flooded, car swept away - 3.2 inches of rain in just 1 hour, also 48.5% of January rainfall

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Attention

157 false killer whales stranded on beach in Australia's Tasmania


Al Jazeera
Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:11 UTC
False killer whales stranded near Arthur River on Tasmania's west coast, Australia, on February 19, 2025
© Department of Natural Resources and Environment TasmaniaFalse killer whales stranded near Arthur River on Tasmania's west coast, Australia, on February 19, 2025.
More than 150 false killer whales are stranded on a beach in the state of Tasmania, with rescue teams now scrambling to save those still alive, Australian environment officials have said.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment said in a statement on Wednesday that marine experts are at the scene of the mass beaching near Arthur River on Tasmania's northwest coast, about 400km (250 miles) from the state capital, Hobart.

"They've been stranded now for, we estimate, 24 to 48 hours," said Brendon Clark, a liaison officer at the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.

Speaking at a news conference, Clark said that of the 157 beached false killer whales, only 90 appeared to still be alive. Authorities have yet to determine if any of the whales can be re-floated, he added.

"To try to re-float the animals directly back into that surf would be challenging, and then, of course, that would also present some enormous safety risks for our staff and personnel," Clark said.

He explained that the inaccessibility of the beach, the ocean conditions and the challenges around getting specialist equipment to the remote beach were complicating the rescue response.

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Boat

Severe flooding impacts South Sulawesi, Indonesia - floodwaters up to 67 inches deep


Borneo Bulletin
Thu, 13 Feb 2025 19:26 UTC
A boat with five people on board was overpowered by flood waters during a rescue attempt in Maros, Indonesia.
A boat with five people on board was overpowered by flood waters during a rescue attempt in Maros, Indonesia.
Numerous areas in South Sulawesi experienced extensive flooding since Tuesday following several days of heavy rainfall, which caused three rivers to overflow, prompting thousands to flee to safer locations.

The flood impacted the provincial capital of Makassar along with Maros and Gowa, leading officials to discharge water from Gowa's Bilibili Dam at an overflow rate of 1,000 cubic metres per second, according to official data.

Flooding also inundated more than 450 electricity substations in the province, resulting in approximately 23,600 households losing power.

In the severely impacted Maros regency, over 100,000 individuals in 14 districts were affected by flooding, with certain regions experiencing a maximum flood depth of 1 metre.

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Arrow Down

Families evacuated as massive 'terrifying' sinkhole appears in Godstone, UK

Bob Dale, Adrian Harms
BBC
Tue, 18 Feb 2025 18:51 UTC
Drone images show the extent of the damage caused by the sinkhole
© EDDIE MITCHELLDrone images show the extent of the damage caused by the sinkhole
Families have described a "terrifying" evacuation as a massive sinkhole appeared in their street, cutting off water supplies and swallowing at least one property's garden.

The hole first appeared in Godstone High Street, Surrey, late on Monday night, growing to at least 65ft (20m) by Tuesday lunchtime.

Shortly after 00:30 GMT on Tuesday, police told people living in William Way, Godstone, to "get out as quickly as possible" over fears of an explosion caused by exposed cables.

One resident, who moved in less than a week ago, said he was forced to sleep in his car, while another returned to find his back garden falling into the hole.

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Attention

One more killed in wild elephant attack in Kerala, India - 4th in a week


Deccan Herald
Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:06 UTC
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Amidst the mounting protests in Kerala over back-to-back deaths in wild animal attacks, one more youth was killed in a wild elephant attack in Wayanad on Tuesday night.

Balakrishnan alias Balan (27) from the tribal community of Attamala near Meppadi was found dead on Wednesday morning. It is suspected that he was trampled to death by a wild elephant on Tuesday night.

Congress-led United Democratic Front called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Wayanad on Thursday in protest against the back-to-back deaths. On Wednesday, agitated locals protested against the frequent deaths in wild animal attacks. Government authorities assured immediate assistance of Rs 5 lakh to pacify the protesters.

On Monday, three deaths in wild elephant attacks were reported in the state, including one in Wayanad.
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Doberman

Nine-month-old girl mauled to death by dog near Naples, Italy


ansabrasil.com.br
Sun, 16 Feb 2025 17:45 UTC
PIT BULL ATTACK
A nine-month-old girl is dead after being mauled to death by her family's dog in their home in Acerra, in the province of Naples, late on Saturday, sources said on Sunday.

The infant's father told police that he found the girl in her bed in a pool of blood.

She was rushed to an emergency room but the doctors were unable to save her.

The dog was reportedly a pit bull.
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Attention

Giant sperm whale found dead off the island of Sylt, Germany


Bluewin.ch
Sun, 16 Feb 2025 17:32 UTC
People are warned not to approach the animal due to the risk of explosion.
People are warned not to approach the animal due to the risk of explosion.
A dead sperm whale has been spotted off the island of Sylt. The carcass was towed by mussel fishermen to the port of Hörnum on Saturday and secured there, according to the Wadden Sea Protection Station.

The male animal, which is up to 16 meters long, has reportedly been dead for some time. Katharina Weinberg from the Wadden Sea Protection Station told dpa that it was not yet possible to say anything about the cause of death. The young animal is expected to be examined more closely by experts on Monday and then transported away. The media had previously reported.

The sanctuary warned against approaching the stinking carcass, even by boat. "Because of the decomposition gases, it is lying high in the water and has apparently already burst open on its back," it says. "Under the pressure of the gases, it could also explode in other places." In addition, according to the Wadden Sea Protection Station, carcasses generally pose a risk of infection.

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