Snow blanketed the N2 highway leading to Nolangeni, South Africa, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, slowing travel and affecting nearby communities. AP Photo
Flooding in South Africa's Eastern Cape province has left at least 49 people dead. The floods struck early Tuesday after strong winds and heavy rain hit the area. Snow also fell in some places. Officials fear the number of deaths will go up as more bodies are found.
The Eastern Cape is one of South Africa’s poorest provinces. Local leader Oscar Mabuyane said it was one of the worst disasters he has ever seen. “I have never seen something like this,” he said during a news briefing.
School bus tragedy
Among the victims were six high school students. Their school bus got caught in rising water near the town of Mthatha. The bus was found on Wednesday, but it was empty. Rescuers had earlier saved three students who were found holding onto trees and yelling for help.
Four more students were still missing. A teacher and the driver on board the bus also died in the floods.
Search efforts continue
Search and rescue teams have been working around the clock. Authorities plan to continue their search on Thursday. They are talking to families to learn who might still be missing.
President Cyril Ramaphosa shared his sorrow over the loss. He called the disaster “devastation” in a statement. His office said the National Disaster Management Center is helping local teams in their relief efforts.
Power outages and major damage
The floods hit not only the Eastern Cape but also KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Free State. These areas were already warned about the cold front. Heavy snow fell in several places, adding to the problems.
Power cuts hit hundreds of thousands of homes. Many families lost their houses completely. They now live in temporary shelters. Floodwaters also damaged at least 58 schools and 20 hospitals, mostly around Mthatha.
Scenes of destruction
The storm left behind serious damage. Some homes are still underwater. Cars, trees, and other debris lie scattered in the streets. The water is slowly going down, but the damage remains.
Officials also reported mudslides in some areas. Emergency teams are on alert in case more bad weather hits.
History of flooding
This is not the first time floods have hurt South Africa. In 2022, over 400 people died in similar floods near Durban. Poor areas with weak housing suffer the most. These places often see the highest number of deaths during disasters like this.
