Many killed as deadly floods, snow sweep away schoolchildren in South Africa

A heartbreaking incident has occurred in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, where a minibus carrying schoolchildren was swept away by heavy flooding, according to local authorities.

Speaking to the BBC, Khuselwa Rantjie, spokesperson for the provincial government, confirmed that it remains unclear how many children were onboard. However, three children have been rescued alive from the wreckage.

As night fell, rescue operations were temporarily suspended due to poor visibility and safety concerns, with efforts expected to resume on Wednesday morning.

In a separate flood-related tragedy, the bodies of seven people who were washed away by raging waters have been recovered in the OR Tambo district of the province.

South Africa has been hit by heavy snow, rains and gale force winds that have claimed the lives of a further five people in a road accident, and have left nearly 500,000 homes without electricity.

The Eastern Cape – the birthplace of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela – has been worst-affected by the icy conditions, along with KwaZulu-Natal province.

The bad weather has forced the closure of some major roads in the two provinces to avoid further casualties.

“This is a devastating reminder of nature’s force. We urge everyone to exercise extra caution in areas prone to flooding,” Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane said in a statement.

Five people died when a minibus taxi overturned near the coastal city of East London, with the driver saying he had lost control as he was trying to avoid a fallen tree, Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, told the BBC.

Two people were injured in the accident, he added.

State power utility Eskom said that almost 300,000 homes had been hit by electricity cuts in 14 towns and villages in Eastern Cape.

A further 196,000 homes in 24 areas in KwaZulu-Natal were also experiencing power cuts, Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena told the BBC.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport Minister Siboniso Duma said that heavy snow had led to lorries being stuck on roads, causing huge congestion.

Grader machines have been stationed on worst-affected roads to clear snow before it reached more than 30cm (12in) in depth.

Meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela also warned of strong winds and heavy waves at sea, making navigation for ships difficult.

Both Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are along the coast.