The article text:
Severe flooding in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa has resulted in a tragic death toll, with reports confirming that at least 49 people have lost their lives, including several children after their school bus was swept away by the relentless waters. The province, known for its predominantly rural landscape, was battered by a slow-moving storm that brought intense rain, snow, and harsh winds on Monday and Tuesday, leading to widespread devastation, displacing thousands of residents, and leaving many without access to basic services such as water and electricity.
Efforts are currently underway to locate four children who were aboard the school bus at the time of the disaster. The bus was captured in the floodwaters while crossing a bridge in Mthatha, with eleven children onboard. Of those, three managed to survive by clinging to trees for hours. Tragically, four children and two adults have been confirmed dead as rescue teams worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the tempest.
As of Wednesday afternoon, local officials indicated that the worst of the storm had subsided, but the concerns regarding the potential rising death toll linger, given that numerous individuals remain unaccounted for. Oscar Mabuyane, the premier of the Eastern Cape, expressed his dismay at the unprecedented nature of the disaster stating, “We have faced numerous disasters before, but this extreme combination of rain and snow has left a mark we have never seen.”
Rescue operations continue, with teams actively seeking out those trapped or missing while providing critical support to affected communities. The region’s infrastructure and emergency services are under immense strain, amplifying the urgent need for assistance and recovery strategies in the wake of this calamity.
Severe flooding in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa has resulted in a tragic death toll, with reports confirming that at least 49 people have lost their lives, including several children after their school bus was swept away by the relentless waters. The province, known for its predominantly rural landscape, was battered by a slow-moving storm that brought intense rain, snow, and harsh winds on Monday and Tuesday, leading to widespread devastation, displacing thousands of residents, and leaving many without access to basic services such as water and electricity.
Efforts are currently underway to locate four children who were aboard the school bus at the time of the disaster. The bus was captured in the floodwaters while crossing a bridge in Mthatha, with eleven children onboard. Of those, three managed to survive by clinging to trees for hours. Tragically, four children and two adults have been confirmed dead as rescue teams worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the tempest.
As of Wednesday afternoon, local officials indicated that the worst of the storm had subsided, but the concerns regarding the potential rising death toll linger, given that numerous individuals remain unaccounted for. Oscar Mabuyane, the premier of the Eastern Cape, expressed his dismay at the unprecedented nature of the disaster stating, “We have faced numerous disasters before, but this extreme combination of rain and snow has left a mark we have never seen.”
Rescue operations continue, with teams actively seeking out those trapped or missing while providing critical support to affected communities. The region’s infrastructure and emergency services are under immense strain, amplifying the urgent need for assistance and recovery strategies in the wake of this calamity.
