Tragedy Strikes: Six Firefighters Lose Lives in South African Bushfire

Six firefighters have tragically perished while battling a bushfire in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Authorities suspect poachers may have started the fire, leading to injuries. The region has faced various wildfires due to hot, dry conditions, while the opposite side of the country contends with severe storms and flooding.

Six firefighters have tragically died while battling a fierce bushfire in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, emergency services reported Monday. Two more are in critical condition.

Authorities suspect the blaze, which erupted on Sunday, may have been initiated by poachers attempting to trap animals. Emergency services spokesperson Roland Robertson stated that three of the firefighters lost their lives at the fire's scene near the town of Boston, about 130 kilometers inland from Durban. The other three succumbed to their injuries shortly after being hospitalized.

One firefighter remains on a ventilator, while another is also in critical condition. Poachers are believed to have suffered injuries in the fire, which spread uncontrollably due to wind and dry conditions. No arrests have been made.

KwaZulu-Natal has experienced wildfires for the past week due to intense heat and wind, claiming at least seven lives across various parts of the province. Meanwhile, the other side of South Africa has been struck by a series of storms, bringing gale-force winds and flooding.

These storms, driven by cold fronts from the Atlantic Ocean, have caused widespread damage in Cape Town and adjacent areas, affecting around 15,000 people and destroying thousands of homes and structures.

(With inputs from agencies.)