The search for missing schoolchildren in South Africa's Eastern Cape province has restarted after being temporarily halted due to darkness. This follows a tragic incident where a bus carrying children to school was swept away by floodwaters in Mthatha on Tuesday. Authorities managed to rescue three children, who were found hanging onto trees, but the total number of pupils on board remains unclear. Reports indicate that the bus has since been located on a riverbank with no occupants inside. Local media reports suggest that the bodies of ten children, along with their driver, have been discovered downstream.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane visited the site on Wednesday to observe ongoing rescue efforts and to engage with the affected communities. He remarked that although the situation is dire, he is satisfied with the response from emergency services. South Africa is currently grappling with severe weather, including heavy snowfall and strong winds, resulting in at least 14 confirmed deaths - nine from flood-related incidents and five due to a traffic accident.
Nearly half a million homes were without electricity on Tuesday, with the state-owned electric company Eskom working to improve service restoration. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sympathies to the bereaved families and urged the public to exercise caution as the harsh winter conditions continue to impact the nation. The Eastern Cape, along with KwaZulu-Natal province, has faced the brunt of the extreme weather, prompting the closure of major roadways to prevent further tragedies.
