Death toll from floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape hits 100

CAPE TOWN, June 24 – The death toll from the recent devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province has risen to 100, as search and recovery efforts continue, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The floods, which swept through the province earlier this month, have caused widespread loss of life, disruption to livelihoods and significant damage to infrastructure.

“As per the latest report, 94 bodies have been positively identified and handed over to their families, while processes are ongoing to identify the six remaining bodies,” the Eastern Cape provincial government said in a statement.

“Out of the 100 deceased persons, 63 are adults and 37 children, of which 22 are learners,” it said, adding that OR Tambo District, which bore the brunt of the floods, recorded 76 deaths.

“The numbers are likely to increase, as there are individuals that are still reported missing by their families and next of kin, and search operations persist in the affected areas,” the government noted.

XINHUA