Death Toll Rises to 78 in Eastern Cape Floods, South Africa Launches Rescue Efforts

Flooded houses in the Eastern Cape

The death toll from the devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has climbed to 78, with only 21 bodies identified so far, according to a senior government official.

“I can confirm that the death toll from the floods has risen to 78, as more bodies continue to be recovered. This means we are facing a serious crisis,”

said Velenkosini Hlabisa, South Africa’s Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, during an interview with SABC News on Thursday evening.

The floods struck after severe weather battered multiple districts across the province on Monday, displacing hundreds of residents and severely damaging infrastructure.

“As the water continues to subside, it’s likely that more bodies will be found. What is comforting is that we have sufficient personnel conducting search and rescue operations,”

Hlabisa added.

The Eastern Cape provincial government reported that rescue teams are actively searching affected areas for missing persons. The operations involve two helicopters, search and rescue vehicles, police dogs, and technical rescue teams deployed across flood-hit districts.

Hlabisa also urged community members to support the efforts by reporting missing individuals.

“We have made a clarion call to all district centers that, if someone you know has not been seen in the past two days, please report them as missing,”

he said.

Authorities have noted that the majority of the fatalities are believed to be residents living in flood-prone zones along riverbanks and flood plains, which were especially vulnerable to the heavy downpour.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit the affected regions on Friday, following growing casualties and the widespread destruction caused by the floods.

In an official statement from the presidency, Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to bereaved families, affected communities, and the people of Eastern Cape at large.