Search and rescue operations continue to find the body of missing six-year-old Khayalethu Magadla. Photo: Robert Mulaudzi
Search for Khaya Magadla continues on Saturday: ‘There is still no body’
Rescue teams will move the search operation to find the body of the missing Soweto boy, Khayalethu Magadla, into the sixth day on Saturday.
Search and rescue operations continue to find the body of missing six-year-old Khayalethu Magadla. Photo: Robert Mulaudzi
The search for the missing six-year-old, Khayalethu Magadla, who fell into a manhole while playing with his friends in Dlamini Park, continues.
Rescue teams hinged on the hope that specialised robots might assist in locating his body as the operation in Soweto went into its fifth day on Friday, 17 June.
Search and rescue moves onto next phase
Earlier, Joburg Water spokesperson Seipati Nyawuza said technicians went into the second section of the pipeline using an external air supply system. Another team of rescuers placed a robot with a camera underwater for navigation.
READ MORE: Rescuers ‘fearing the worst’ as robots deployed in search of missing boy
“The DeltaScan team has lifted the camera. Footage will be viewed to [ascertain] what the device captured while underground. The team will move to the next point along the pipeline should the search yield no results at this point.”
Joburg Water spokesperson Seipati Nyawuza
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi confirmed that the search continues after teams failed to locate Khaya’s body yesterday. Mulaudzi said the rescuers had already informed the family there was little hope of finding him alive.
“Our efforts yesterday were unsuccessful. We managed to deploy a robot with an underwater and above-surface camera for a 360-degree view. We also had technicians along the pipeline. However, we couldn’t locate him and will continue our search on Saturday morning in the hope that we might find his body.
“Due to the water level and the gas underground when he might have drowned, we believe he is deceased. Rescue operators informed the family that the chances that he is still alive are slim. They have accepted, and all they want now is to see his body so they can get closure.”
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi
Sewer pipeline made up of eight manholes
Today, the search and rescue teams will move to the third section along the sewer pipes. According to Mulaudzi, searchers cleared the first two sections, starting where the little boy fell into the manhole.
The sewer pipe comprises eight manholes, including the ventilation shaft. On Saturday, rescuers will resume the search starting at the third section and progress along the pipe.
“Teams will clear each section until they arrive at the split chamber. The chamber is located at the Olifantsvei Cemetery, about 16 kilometres from Dlamini. We will go along all the sections and clear them, and maybe, along the way, we will find something.”
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi
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