The death toll from the devastating floods and extreme winter weather sweeping across South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has risen to 49, including four children who were swept away while travelling on a school bus, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Premier of the Eastern Cape, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, announced the updated figures during a press briefing, citing reports from the South African Police Service.
“As of now, the stats have escalated to 49,” Mabuyane said.
Among the victims were four children on a school minibus that was swept away by rising floodwaters near the city of Mthatha. The vehicle was carrying 13 people at the time of the incident.
“Sadly, four of those learners have been confirmed to be deceased, together with the driver and the conductor of the minibus taxi,” Mabuyane stated.
“Four learners are still missing and are still being looked for.”
He added that three others had been found alive.
Mabuyane did not provide additional details on the remaining victims, noting that the situation continues to evolve. “Search and recovery operations are continuing across all affected areas,” he said.
Since last week, South Africa has been battling brutal winter conditions, with heavy rainfall, snowfall, and cold winds particularly affecting the Eastern Cape. The extreme weather has triggered landslides and caused widespread destruction to homes and critical infrastructure, displacing several hundred people.
Authorities reported that on Tuesday, three children had to be rescued after taking refuge in trees for hours to escape the rapidly rising waters.
Most of the displaced residents have come from OR Tambo and Amathole districts, with many relocated to temporary shelters in schools and town halls.
Speaking earlier to public broadcaster SABC News, Mabuyane appealed for national assistance.
“We need more resources,” he said. “We have never experienced disasters like this, but now it’s inevitable with climate change and global warming.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed the urgency in a statement, warning that the “harsh winter conditions remain life-threatening.” He added that emergency services and the National Disaster Management Centre are “giving the requisite attention to crises as they unfold.”
Ramaphosa also urged the public to exercise vigilance and solidarity during this challenging period.
He called on South Africans “to display caution, care and cooperation as the worst impacts of winter weather take effect.”
The South African Weather Service has forecast that severe and extreme winter weather conditions will persist through the middle of the week.
While snow and seasonal rainfall are not uncommon during South African winters, the nation’s vulnerability to climate change has significantly increased the frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters, including droughts, wildfires, and flash floods, according to the Green Climate Fund.
