The disaster occurred in the diamond mining town of Jagersfontein at around 6am, the government said, forcing officials to evacuate scores of residents to nearby farms.
One person was declared dead after their body was recovered, while 40 people, including one pregnant woman and four individuals with fractured limbs, have been taken to hospitals for treatment.
The government said in a statement that search and rescue efforts are continuing at the dormant diamond mine, which was once owned by De Beers, a unit of Anglo American.
Residents of the mining town of Jagersfontein in the Free State are being evacuated after the mine dam burst at around 06:00 on Sunday, 11 September 2022 causing flooding in parts of the town. pic.twitter.com/5p6iTuWin6
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) September 11, 2022
"A detailed report on the circumstances surrounding the incident will be released upon compilation," the office of the Free State Premier said.
Minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe told reporters that nine houses were swept away while 20 were completely damaged by flooding from the tailings dam.
"Compensation for fatalities, compensation in terms of damage to property will be taken as a responsibility of the company that owns the slimes dam," he said.
State-owned power utility Eskom said in a separate statement it lost bulk electricity supply in the area when its Rietkuil substation was engulfed by mud and aims to restore supply to the Jagersfontein mine before the end of the day.
"It is impossible to estimate when supply will be restored or to determine the extent of the damage," Eskom said.
The flooding damaged cellphone towers, hitting communications, and affected drinking water, while some roads were cut off. Many sheep have also been washed away, non-governmental organisation, Gift of the Givers said.
Free State Cogta MEC Mxolisi Dukwana speaks to @MichelleL_Craig about government's intervention in Jagersfontein following a mudslide that left scores of people destitute.
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 12, 2022
Watch: https://t.co/Gb2Gx49Dtd#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/G5jBzWJeBh
Mobile operator Vodacom told Reuters that two of its impacted base station sites are now back online after deploying generators to power them, while rival MTN said it is looking for an alternative way to access a tower it shares with others in order to restore power and services.
The Minerals Council industry body said it had reached out to authorities to offer whatever practical support and assistance that the industry can provide.
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