South Africa Floods Kill Nearly 50 as Torrential Rains Devastate Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape Floods Claim 49 Lives in South Africa, Including Schoolchildren
At least 49 people have been confirmed dead following devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, with several schoolchildren among the victims. The disaster, fueled by days of torrential rainfall, snow, and gale-force winds, has left a trail of destruction, displacing hundreds and damaging dozens of schools across multiple districts.
According to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, the death toll continues to rise as rescue and recovery operations persist in the affected areas. “The numbers are just escalating hour after hour. The situation is so bad on the ground,” he stated during a visit to some of the worst-hit communities.
Among the victims were four children, a bus driver, and a conductor who were traveling on a school bus swept away by powerful floodwaters on Tuesday morning in Mthatha, a major town in the region. The bus had been attempting to cross a submerged bridge when it was overpowered by the raging waters.
The vehicle was later found abandoned on a riverbank, with no occupants inside, prompting a large-scale search operation. Authorities confirmed that 13 people were aboard the bus—11 of them schoolchildren. By Wednesday, eight bodies had been recovered, while three children were found alive, rescued after clinging to trees for hours. The search continues for the remaining children still unaccounted for.
Premier Mabuyane visited the site of the incident in Decoligny, a village on the outskirts of Mthatha, to monitor ongoing rescue operations and engage with affected families. He praised local residents and volunteers who assisted emergency officials in alerting neighbors and aiding rescue efforts when the flooding began.
“The response of community members has been heroic. People alerted others, tried to save those in danger, and worked with our teams. But the scale of this tragedy is unlike anything I’ve witnessed before,” Mabuyane said, describing the weather as some of the worst in living memory.
The floods have also taken a toll on infrastructure and education. According to provincial authorities, 58 schools across the OR Tambo, Amathole, and Alfred Nzo districts in Eastern Cape have sustained damage. In neighboring KwaZulu-Natal province, 68 schools across nine districts have also been affected, though no fatalities have been reported there.
The adverse weather has disrupted power supply to nearly 500,000 homes, as confirmed by South Africa’s state-owned power utility, Eskom. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with technicians working in treacherous conditions to reconnect affected areas.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and urged citizens to remain vigilant.
“We mourn with the families of the deceased and pray for the recovery of the missing. As the harshest impacts of the winter season unfold, I call on all South Africans to act with caution, care, and unity,” President Ramaphosa said in a public statement.
The Eastern Cape, known as the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, and KwaZulu-Natal remain the hardest-hit provinces. Authorities have closed major roads to prevent further casualties and are continuing efforts to provide shelter and relief to displaced residents.
