Johannesburg: The death toll from devastating floods in South Africa's Eastern Cape has climbed to 78, with authorities warning that the number could rise further as rescue teams continue to search for missing persons.
The province has been battered by relentless heavy rains and snowfall since the weekend, brought on by a severe winter cold front that has caused widespread disruption to transport systems, power infrastructure, and communities.
Speaking to the state broadcaster SABC on Thursday evening, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed the rising death toll. "The figure has now reached 78," he said. "As the water continues to recede, we fear more bodies may be discovered."
Just a day earlier, on Wednesday, officials had confirmed 49 fatalities, marking a sharp increase within 24 hours.
Experts and authorities have increasingly linked the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events to the growing impact of climate change in the region.
