CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) – The death toll from the devastating floods in South Africa's Eastern Cape province has tragically reached 86, according to police minister Senzo Mchunu. Rescuers are continuing their efforts to retrieve bodies from the floodwaters that inundated the area, primarily around the town of Mthatha, since the disaster struck in the predawn hours of Tuesday.
Minister Mchunu addressed the police rescue teams engaged in the recovery mission, emphasizing that the floods represented a significant tragedy for the region. He urged local residents to disregard what he described as false reports circulating on social media, which claimed that the disaster was due to someone opening sluice gates at a nearby dam. Mchunu clarified that the Mthatha Dam in question does not have sluice gates, contesting the source of misinformation.
During a visit to Mthatha, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the catastrophe and pledged that authorities would investigate any potential issues related to the local dam that could have contributed to such a severe situation. Witnesses described a torrent of water 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) high cascading out of the river, sweeping away victims along with debris from homes and, in some instances, trapping individuals inside their residences.
President Ramaphosa partially attributed the catastrophic floods to climate change, noting that some coastal areas of South Africa are increasingly becoming vulnerable to weather-related disasters. This is echoed by past incidents; in 2022, over 400 people perished in flooding around the city of Durban, which has been linked to climate change effects.
Despite weather services issuing warnings about an impending extreme cold front that would bring heavy rains and gale-force winds, many in the Mthatha area and nearby communities were caught unprepared. This largely rural region is among the poorest in the country, and authorities highlighted the heightened vulnerability of residents living in informal housing close to the riverbanks, which were particularly susceptible when the river overflowed.
While recovery efforts continue, officials express concerns that more individuals may still be missing, indicating that the death toll could increase further. One recent recovery on Saturday involved the body of a young boy believed to be around 13 or 14 years old. The loss of life particularly affects children, although specific numbers of child victims have not been disclosed. Disturbingly, some were found washed up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from their homes due to the fierce floods.
Authorities have faced criticism not only for the rescue operations but also for the overall state of infrastructure in the flood-prone area. As rescue teams continue to comb through floodwaters and inspect damaged homes, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of this tragic natural disaster.
