South African Floods Kill 49 as School Bus Tragedy Deepens National Grief

At least 49 lives have been lost in South Africa following severe flooding caused by a powerful cold front. The storm brought relentless rain and snow, triggering widespread destruction, particularly in the Eastern Cape province, where homes were inundated, roads cut off, and power supplies interrupted.

A major tragedy occurred in Decoligny village, where a school minibus was swept away by raging floodwaters on Tuesday morning. The vehicle, transporting 13 people—including schoolchildren—was engulfed while en route to school, prompting an immediate rescue operation.

Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane confirmed during a Wednesday briefing that six of the minibus passengers had died: four pupils, the driver, and the assistant. He added that four others remain missing, and emergency services continue search efforts amid hazardous conditions.

In the midst of devastation, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office shared that three children had been pulled from the submerged vehicle. His statement expressed heartfelt condolences to grieving families and praised rescuers working under dangerous circumstances to save lives.

Beyond the bus tragedy, thousands of residents have been displaced by the flooding. Emergency shelters have been set up, while crews work to restore essential services and access to isolated communities still affected by the extreme weather.

Flooding is not a new challenge for South Africa. In 2022, the country faced one of its deadliest disasters in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, where nearly 400 people died after similar torrential rains overwhelmed infrastructure and communities.

Officials continue urging the public to heed warnings and evacuation orders. As the search continues and the nation mourns, this calamity has sparked renewed calls for more effective disaster preparedness and stronger climate resilience strategies to protect lives in the future.