Flooding in South Africa Claims At Least 49 Lives

At least 49 people have died in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province following severe flooding caused by an extreme cold front, officials reported. The disaster has devastated communities, with six high school students among the fatalities after their school bus was swept away in floodwaters near a river. Four additional students remain missing.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane warned that the death toll could rise further, as search and rescue operations continue to uncover more victims. The province, particularly hard-hit by the torrential rain, has seen homes submerged, vehicles carried away, and power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
Neighboring KwaZulu-Natal province has also been impacted by the storm, with disaster response teams mobilized to assist affected areas. Authorities are working to restore power and provide aid to those displaced by the flooding. The full extent of the damage and losses remains to be seen as recovery efforts continue.

Published: 6/28/2025