TimesLive reports that a rescue mission took place on Tuesday at Sapref, a major crude oil refinery south of Durban, where workers were airlifted from the plant which was flooded during torrential rain.

A worker made an urgent plea for help on a Facebook page, writing: “We need help at Sapref. Phone someone please. We really need to get out. Please help us.” Images showed large parts of the refinery plant submerged. Some people posted that they were seeking refuge on the roof while they waited to be airlifted to safety. Sapref, SA’s largest crude oil refinery, is midway through a shutdown. Petroleum companies Shell and BP paused operations at the end of March while they tried to find a buyer. A source with knowledge of operations said the flooding would not affect fuel supply as it was being imported. Sapref’s sustainable development manager, Hlengiwe Hlela, advised that employees managed to evacuate the buildings to higher ground and no injuries were reported. Workers at paper and packaging manufacturer Mondi, located in flood-ravaged Merebank, a few kilometres from Sapref, were also evacuated.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Suthentira Govender at BusinessLive

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