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The Free State government confirmed on Tuesday night that yet another dam wall collapse has hit the sludge-stricken mining town of Jagersfontein in the Free State. It is believed that recent rains in the area are the cause of the collapse.

Mayor of Kopanong municipality, Xolani Tseletsele said the incident happened at around 9pm on Tuesday and has brought panic to the community. This comes just over two weeks after a similar incident in which a tailings dam collapse left one person dead, many injured, and hundreds displaced.

Also read: VIDEO: aftermath of Jagersfontein flood, countless injured

Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela’s spokesperson Palesa Chubisi said: “provincial government is still trying to establish the extent of the water flow. However, it is understood that the water is running through the neighbourhood of Charlesville and the nearby Dennis Louw farm.”

Chubisi said the R706 is closed to traffic and motorists are advised to use alternative roads to access Jagersfontein. No immediate damage to property or loss of life has been reported in this latest incident.

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“The police and the emergency services are on the scene. Premier Ntombela has called for the community not to panic as the provincial disaster team has been activated to the affected area,” added Chubisi.

Mayor Tseletsele said he is awaiting reports from mine owners and expecting reassurance that future incidents can be prevented.

According to News24, Ralehana Aaron Mosoeu (aged 78) died in the first flood disaster while Mantele Mokhali (aged 50) and Shadrack Williams (aged 70) were still unaccounted for.

The sludge wiped out 164 backyard vegetable gardens and 14 smallholder commercial farmers were left devastated as nearby rivers became polluted.

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Picture: Twitter

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