Death toll rises in Eastern Cape floods

Torrential rains, heavy snowfall, and fierce cold winds swept through South Africa’s Eastern Cape this week, resulting in at least 78 deaths, including four children whose school bus was swept away near Mthatha, officials confirmed.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane described the situation as “tragic,” noting that the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue their efforts. Authorities recovered six bodies from the minibus—four students, the driver, and the conductor—while four students are still missing. Three other children survived after clinging to trees.

The extreme weather event has battered infrastructure: at least 58 schools and 20 healthcare facilities have been damaged, while hundreds of households remain without power and over 1,000 people have been displaced.

Hospitals are overwhelmed, emergency shelters are operating near capacity, and search-and-rescue efforts have been hindered by limited resources, including a shortage of helicopters, rescue divers, and K‑9 units. Mabuyane warned that rural communities, often in poorly constructed housing, are especially vulnerable. According to Reuters, this disaster follows a similar deadly storm in 2022 that killed around 400 people in the region, underscoring concerns that climate change may be intensifying South Africa’s winter storm patterns.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing. President Cyril Ramaphosa has activated the National Disaster Management Centre and is scheduled to visit the province. Emergency assistance, including food, blankets, and medical support, is being deployed as damage assessments continue.