Premier says six people on a school bus were discovered dead and four are still missing
11 June 2025 - 18:44
bySiyanda Mthethwa, Sfundo Parakozov and Tim Cocks
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Flooded roads after heavy rains fell on June 10, 2025 in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. It is reported that heavy rains and violent winds has led to severe flooding and large-scale evacuations. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/DIE BURGER/ULAMA ZENZILE
The death toll from floods in SA’s Eastern Cape province has risen to 49, the head of the province said on Wednesday.
Parts of SA have been lashed by heavy rain and snow since the weekend, in a severe winter cold front that has disrupted transport and power networks.
“The status has escalated to 49 (deaths),” Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane told a press conference.
Earlier, a school bus was swept away by floods near Mthatha and a provincial safety official said eight bodies were recovered.
Mabuyane said the report he had received said six people on the bus had been discovered dead and four were still missing. The vehicle had been carrying 13 schoolchildren and two adults.
Flooding has become more common and severe in SA as the impacts of climate change are felt.
A storm on the East Coast in April 2022 killed about 400 people and left thousands homeless.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Death toll in flood-hit Eastern Cape rises to 49
Premier says six people on a school bus were discovered dead and four are still missing
The death toll from floods in SA’s Eastern Cape province has risen to 49, the head of the province said on Wednesday.
Parts of SA have been lashed by heavy rain and snow since the weekend, in a severe winter cold front that has disrupted transport and power networks.
“The status has escalated to 49 (deaths),” Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane told a press conference.
Earlier, a school bus was swept away by floods near Mthatha and a provincial safety official said eight bodies were recovered.
Mabuyane said the report he had received said six people on the bus had been discovered dead and four were still missing. The vehicle had been carrying 13 schoolchildren and two adults.
Flooding has become more common and severe in SA as the impacts of climate change are felt.
A storm on the East Coast in April 2022 killed about 400 people and left thousands homeless.
Reuters
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