At least nine people have died in devastating floods across eastern South Africa, with search operations underway for schoolchildren still missing after rising waters swept away a minibus, authorities said on Wednesday.
The floods follow days of severe winter weather that have gripped the country, including heavy snow and powerful storms, particularly affecting the Eastern Cape province.
According to a statement from the provincial government, torrential rains in the OR Tambo district have claimed nine lives, up from an earlier reported death toll of seven. The statement also confirmed that the search continued on Wednesday morning for missing children who were aboard a school bus caught in the flood.
Khuselwa Rantjie, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, told AFP that she could not confirm the exact number of children or adults who had been on the bus. However, local media reports suggest that at least 10 children remain unaccounted for.
In a separate incident, three children were rescued after clinging to trees for hours to escape floodwaters near Mthatha, one of the worst-hit areas.
Since Monday, several hundred people have been displaced, mainly from the OR Tambo and Amathole districts. Many have been temporarily relocated to schools and community halls, where hot meals and essential supplies are being provided with support from multiple government agencies.
The provincial government described the ongoing rains as “relentless,” noting that they have triggered landslides and caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
South Africa’s national weather service has warned that extreme winter conditions—including continued heavy rain and snow—are expected to persist until at least midweek.
