At least 7 dead and children missing as floods hit South Africa

At least seven people have died and several schoolchildren are missing after heavy rain and snow triggered flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and southern regions, officials said Tuesday.

A minibus carrying high school students was swept away by floodwaters near Mthatha. The Eastern Cape provincial government said a search is ongoing, but the number of missing children remains unclear. According to the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), three students were rescued after clinging to trees.

Six people died in Mthatha, where floodwaters submerged homes and vehicles. A seventh body was recovered near the town of Tsolo, about 40 kilometers northwest of the city.

Disaster response teams have been deployed across affected areas, with authorities also warning of ongoing danger as rain and snow continue.

In a separate incident, five people were killed in a minibus taxi crash on Tuesday. A provincial transport spokesperson said the vehicle overturned while trying to avoid a fallen tree in wet conditions.

The South African Weather Service has issued warnings for continued heavy rain and snow in the Eastern Cape and neighboring KwaZulu-Natal. Parts of a major highway linking the two provinces were closed due to snow and poor visibility.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane called the situation “a devastating reminder of nature’s force.”

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