Rescues Continue as Search for Missing Schoolchildren Intensifies Following South Africa Floods

Amidst the heavy rains affecting South Africa's Eastern Cape, search operations are actively recovering students missing after their bus was swept away, with reports of multiple casualties.

The search for schoolchildren missing after floods in South Africa's Eastern Cape province is underway again following a temporary halt in operations. On Tuesday morning, a bus transporting children to school in Mthatha was engulfed by rising floodwaters while crossing a bridge. Reports indicate that while three students were rescued, the total number of children aboard remains undetermined, as the bus was subsequently located abandoned on a riverbank.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the remains of ten children and the bus driver have been discovered downstream. Public broadcaster SABC noted that the three rescued children managed to hold onto trees during the ordeal. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning to oversee rescue efforts and engage with affected communities, expressing a mix of empathy and optimism regarding the response from emergency services despite the calamity.

As South Africa grapples with heavy snowfall, torrential rains, and strong winds, the official death toll has risen to 14, with nine lives lost to floods and five due to a road accident. Nearly half a million households experienced power outages on Tuesday, prompting the state-owned power supplier Eskom to undertake restoration efforts.

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended condolences to bereaved families, urging citizens to remain cautious and cooperative as the harsh winter weather continues to pose risks nationwide. The Eastern Cape, known as the birthplace of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, has been particularly badly hit, alongside KwaZulu-Natal province. The severe weather has led to the closure of several major roads in the regions to mitigate further risks to public safety.