DEVELOPING: Death toll from Eastern Cape floods jumps to 49
The death toll from flooding in the Eastern Cape has risen to 49, including four children on a school bus that was swept away, a provincial governor said on Wednesday.
'As of now, the stats have escalated to 49 deaths,' Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, citing police figures.
The bodies of four children who were on a bus swept away by a flood near the city of Mthatha have been recovered, but another four are still missing, he said.
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Rescue teams deployed in Eastern Cape, flood death toll rises to 57
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane assessing the damage to homes and infrastructure this week after floods lashed the province. Image: Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane / Facebook Rescue teams raced on Thursday to find possible survivors after heavy rain flooded parts of the Eastern Cape earlier in the week as the death toll rose to 57. Torrential rains and freezing temperatures struck on Monday, causing major flooding and landslides that submerged houses. The severe weather also lashed parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Images on local media showed homes completely under water and rescuers wading through the mud. Power and water supplies have been affected and hundreds have been forced to relocate. "As the water subsides, more bodies are being discovered," said Caroline Gallant, Eastern Cape manager at the South African Red Cross Society, which has sent assistance to the disaster zone. More than 3,000 houses have been affected, she told AFP, adding it was "the worst ever disaster" recorded in the area. President Cyril Ramaphosa called the floods "unprecedented" and said he would visit the disaster-hit region on Friday. A previous death toll of 49 has now risen to 57, Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, said. "The figures are growing. This (57) is the figure... for the entire Eastern Cape province in three different areas," he told reporters, while visiting the worst hit city, Mthatha. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Among the dead are at least four children who were in a school van that was swept away by the rising water, Premier Oscar Mabuyane said in a briefing on Wednesday. Four other children are missing, while three were found alive. Two adults with them on the bus also died. Another child died separately when he was swept away by water while walking to school, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said early Thursday. "We are reeling," she told SABC News. One rescuer, who spoke to AFP on Thursday on the condition of anonymity as he was not allowed to speak to the media, said his team was expecting to find more bodies and possibly survivors. "We are going door to door to see, because yesterday we did find people locked inside houses who couldn't get out and were deceased," he said. At least 600 people have been displaced, the provincial government said, with many sheltering in community halls. Infrastructure has also been damaged and at least 20 health facilities affected, the local authority said. "The numbers will increase dramatically," said Ali Sablay, a spokesperson for the Gift of the Givers Foundation, a disaster response charity that deployed teams to the area. "In the last 24 hours the number of people requiring assistance has jumped from 5,000 to 10,000," he told AFP.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
DEVELOPING: Death toll from Eastern Cape floods jumps to 49
The death toll from flooding in the Eastern Cape has risen to 49, including four children on a school bus that was swept away, a provincial governor said on Wednesday. 'As of now, the stats have escalated to 49 deaths,' Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, citing police figures. The bodies of four children who were on a bus swept away by a flood near the city of Mthatha have been recovered, but another four are still missing, he said. This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Government mobilises after deadly Eastern Cape floods
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that authorities at all levels are responding to the devastating effects of recent storms that battered parts of South Africa, particularly the Eastern Cape. The severe weather displaced residents, damaged infrastructure, and left at least nine people dead. On Tuesday, heavy rainfall submerged homes and swept away roads in several parts of the Eastern Cape. In Mthatha's Decoligny Village, eight bodies were discovered following flash floods. Another fatality was reported near the Bedlana River in Tsolo. Tragedy struck again when schoolchildren travelling near Mthatha were caught in rising floodwaters. While three were rescued, several others remain missing. 'The president says these incidents and others that may unfold during winter highlight the need for South Africans to display caution, care and cooperation,' said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya. Ramaphosa has assured citizens that local, provincial, and national governments and the National Disaster Management Centre prioritise relief efforts. Emergency services assist displaced residents, assess road damage, and coordinate rescue operations in affected communities. 'Residents, businesses, infrastructure, livestock and wildlife in various provinces are currently affected by the annual, seasonal impacts of winter conditions,' Magwenya stated. 'Some of these impacts have claimed lives and remain life-threatening and harmful to businesses and the livelihoods of workers.' Ramaphosa acknowledged the joint efforts by government entities, NGOs, and community organisations to bring relief. 'The devastation that comes with nature's forces demands that we work together as best we can to bring relief to families and communities who need this the most,' Magwenya said. The presidency urged citizens to take extra care on roads, remain alert near flood-prone areas, and support distressed neighbours. Magwenya stressed the importance of adhering to local bylaws and safety regulations during extreme weather events. 'This is a time where we need to take care of ourselves in our homes and reach out to neighbours and friends who need help of any kind,' he said. 'We must put problem-solving and collaboration ahead of blame and conflict.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
