In a devastating incident in Eastern Cape, South Africa, a severe storm resulted in flash floods sweeping away a school bus and claiming 49 lives. The community joins rescue operations while searching for missing children.
49 Lives Lost as Catastrophic Floods Devastate Eastern Cape, South Africa
49 Lives Lost as Catastrophic Floods Devastate Eastern Cape, South Africa
A tragic slow-moving storm wreaks havoc in Mthatha, leading to fatalities, destruction, and community displacement.
An unexpected storm system brought extreme weather conditions to South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, resulting in flash flooding that has left at least 49 people dead, including multiple children who were trapped on a school bus. The disastrous situation unfolded over Monday and Tuesday as the storm lingered over the region, causing severe flooding that submerged homes, displacing thousands and disrupting essential services like water and electricity.
The tragedy struck in the town of Mthatha when a school bus, carrying eleven children, was swept off a bridge during the inundation. While three children managed to cling to trees and survive for hours, four other children and two adults on the bus were tragically killed. By Wednesday afternoon, rescue operations were still underway as authorities searched for four missing children, prompting worries that the death toll could rise even further.
Oscar Mabuyane, the provincial premier, expressed the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Disasters have hit our province, but we have never experienced this combination of torrential rain and snow.” With recovery efforts ongoing, communities are now coming to terms with the losses and devastation left in the wake of this unprecedented storm. As the weather starts to calm, concerns grow over the welfare of those still unaccounted for in the region.
