At least 49 people have been confirmed dead after severe flooding struck South Africa, including children whose school bus was swept away by the extreme weather, officials reported.
An intense cold front has torn across several parts of South Africa, bringing heavy rain, snow, and widespread flooding. The Eastern Cape, one of the provinces most severely affected, has seen floodwaters displace numerous residents, leading to extensive power outages and major road closures, as confirmed by the provincial authority.
Earlier on Wednesday, state broadcaster SABC reported a tragic incident in Decoligny village. A school bus was swept into a river on Tuesday morning while on its route to school. The provincial government stated that 13 individuals were on board the bus, including pupils, their driver, and his assistant. Officials confirmed that four others remain missing, with rescue teams continuing their search for more bodies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office released an earlier statement, extending condolences to the bereaved families and confirming that three children were rescued from the submerged vehicle.
South Africa has struggled with deadly flooding events in recent years. In 2022, torrential downpours caused devastating floods that resulted in approximately 400 deaths in Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal province.
