Watch: Newborn baby rescued from storm drain in SA

Durban: Rescue workers in South Africa pulled a newborn baby from a storm drain in a four-hour operation that ended with applause and cheers from onlookers.

Video shows a rescuer lifting the baby to a colleague standing above a pit as people celebrate the successful rescue.

Rescue Care Paramedics, one of the groups that helped to extricate the infant girl in Durban, said it was unclear why the baby was "dumped" and that police were investigating.

The group said emergency responders went to the scene on Monday after residents heard a baby crying from deep inside the concrete storm drain.

It said the area was dug up and a chisel and hammer were used to break into the drain.

South African media said the infant was being treated in a hospital.