EASTERN CAPE - SEARCH FOR SHEPHERDS MISSING IN HEAVY SNOWFALLS AROUND MOUNT FLETCHER CONTINUES

A search is still underway for more than 40 shepherds who were reported missing on Saturday following heavy snowfalls around Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape.

Three shepherds were earlier found dead.

Joe Gqabi District Municipality spokesperson Mandla Gceya says the police have recovered the three bodies of the shepherds who died due to hypothermia.

Two army helicopters and K-9 dog unit are looking for the remaining 42 men.

Gceya says: "It was reported that 45 shepherds were missing behind the mountains of Mount Fletcher. Currently the two Oryx army helicopters and K-9 dog unit are still hovering the area still looking for the 42 shepherds that are still missing."

More than 100 other people were rescued after they were stuck at the Tiffindel Ski Resort in the mountains above Rhodes and  Barkly East.

VIA - sabc.co.za