EC floods death toll reaches 100, search continuing
Search and rescue teams have continued efforts to trace and recover individuals who were reported missing during the deadly floods.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Eastern Cape government confirmed that 100 people have died following torrential rains that wreaked havoc across the province.
It’s been nearly two weeks since the South African Weather Service issued warnings for severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall that would result in localised flooding and infrastructure damage, in the Eastern Cape and other provinces.
Residents of Mthatha, in the OR Tambo District Municipality, were worst affected by the adverse weather.
The first report of casualties came when a minibus ferrying school children was reportedly swept away by floodwaters.
READ: Santaco mourns Mthatha taxi flood deaths
In the latest statement, provincial government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie broke down the figures per region.
“O.R. Tambo accounts for 76 of the deceased, while Amathole is 10, Alfred Nzo five, Chris Hani five, Joe Gqabi two, and Sarah Baartman two. Out of the 100 deceased persons, 63 are adults and 37 children, of which 22 are learners.”
She said 94 of the deceased have been identified and handed over to their loved ones for burial, and that the process of identifying the remaining six victims is ongoing.
At the same time, the provincial government has applauded the search and rescue teams that have been on the ground since the beginning of the disaster.
“Their tireless efforts have been instrumental in recovering dozens of bodies and providing critical support to affected families, even as the search continues. The numbers are likely to increase, as there are individuals who are still reported missing by their families and next of kin, and search operations persist in the affected areas.”
Rantjie added that the government has continued to provide psychosocial support to affected families.
ALSO READ:
