The heavy rainfall that had lashed the region has finally receded, allowing search operations to resume after being briefly halted overnight. Officials confirmed that the tragic incident occurred in Mthatha, where students were en route to school when floodwaters overran their vehicle on Tuesday morning.
So far, three children have been safely rescued, but confusion remains regarding the total number of pupils on board, as the bus was later discovered abandoned on a riverbank. According to private news outlets, unconfirmed reports indicate that the bodies of ten children, along with that of the driver, have since been recovered downstream.
Local broadcaster SABC reports that the three rescued students were found clinging to trees in desperation. On Wednesday, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane visited the area to monitor the rescue efforts and to offer support to the affected communities. “While this is a difficult situation, I am pleased with the emergency services' response,” he stated.
The flooding, attributed to heavy snow, rain, and strong winds, has claimed at least 14 lives across the country—nine due to floods and five in a traffic accident. The crisis has also left nearly 500,000 households without electricity as state-owned power supplier Eskom works to restore services.
President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged South Africans to exercise caution, as the worst effects of severe winter weather loom. The Eastern Cape, known as Nelson Mandela’s birthplace, has been most severely affected, with major road closures implemented in parts of the province and in KwaZulu-Natal to prevent further tragedies.
In light of this heartbreaking incident, the nation is united in hope for the safe return of the missing children as recovery and rescue operations continue.
So far, three children have been safely rescued, but confusion remains regarding the total number of pupils on board, as the bus was later discovered abandoned on a riverbank. According to private news outlets, unconfirmed reports indicate that the bodies of ten children, along with that of the driver, have since been recovered downstream.
Local broadcaster SABC reports that the three rescued students were found clinging to trees in desperation. On Wednesday, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane visited the area to monitor the rescue efforts and to offer support to the affected communities. “While this is a difficult situation, I am pleased with the emergency services' response,” he stated.
The flooding, attributed to heavy snow, rain, and strong winds, has claimed at least 14 lives across the country—nine due to floods and five in a traffic accident. The crisis has also left nearly 500,000 households without electricity as state-owned power supplier Eskom works to restore services.
President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged South Africans to exercise caution, as the worst effects of severe winter weather loom. The Eastern Cape, known as Nelson Mandela’s birthplace, has been most severely affected, with major road closures implemented in parts of the province and in KwaZulu-Natal to prevent further tragedies.
In light of this heartbreaking incident, the nation is united in hope for the safe return of the missing children as recovery and rescue operations continue.
