At least 14 dead as churchgoers swept off by river during ceremony in South Africa

The worshippers were standing on rocks in the river when a deluge of water poured, according to local reports.

The church leader reportedly escaped death by a whisker when he held on to an overhanging tree branch while being swept away.

As of today, 14 bodies were recovered, a spokesman for the City of Johannesburg Emergency Services said.

Search and rescue teams are continuing to search for three people who are still missing.

Religious people usually gather along the Jukskei River, which runs past townships such as Alexandra in the east of Johannesburg, for baptisms and ritual cleansing. (ILKHA)