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South Africa floods: Bodies of schoolchildren found after bus swept away after heavy rains South Africa floods: Bodies of schoolchildren found after bus swept away after heavy rains
(about 2 hours later)
The heavy rains in South Africa's Eastern Cape province have subsidedThe heavy rains in South Africa's Eastern Cape province have subsided
The search for schoolchildren swept away by floods in South Africa's Eastern Cape province has resumed after being halted overnight, officials have said. At least 49 people have been killed in the floods that have swept through South Africa's Eastern Cape province as low temperatures, torrential rain and heavy snowfall have hit parts of the country.
The children were on their way to school in the town of Mthatha when their bus was carried away in flood waters as it was crossing a bridge on Tuesday morning. "The numbers are just escalating hour after hour. The situation is so bad on the ground," provincial premier Oscar Mabuyane said.
A total of eight bodies, including that of the bus driver, have so far been recovered, Eastern Cape community safety official Xolile Nqatha has told private TV station Newzroom Afrika. Among the bodies recovered are those of four children, a driver and a conductor who were on a school bus that was carried away in flood waters as it was crossing a bridge in the town of Mthatha on Tuesday morning.
Other officials said three students were rescued on Tuesday, but it was unclear how many pupils were on the bus, which has since been found on a riverbank with no-one inside. Mabuyane said rescue efforts were continuing to find four more children who had been in the vehicle that has since been found on a riverbank with no-one inside.
Public broadcaster SABC reported that the three children who were rescued were found clinging to trees. Earlier, an official had told private TV station Newzroom Afrika that eight bodies, including that of the bus driver, had been found.
On Wednesday morning, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane visited the scene to witness rescue efforts, and to meet affected communities. Public broadcaster SABC reported that three children were rescued alive on Tuesday, found clinging to trees.
He told Newzroom Afrika that while the situation was a "difficult one", he was "quite happy" with the response of the emergency services. It is now known that there were 13 people on the bus, 11 of them schoolchildren.
South Africa has been hit by heavy snow, rains and gale force winds that have officially claimed the lives of 14 people, nine from the floods and five in a road accident. On Wednesday morning, Mr Mabuyane visited the scene to witness rescue efforts, and to meet affected communities in Decoligny, a village outside Mthatha.
Nearly 500,000 homes were left without electricity on Tuesday - and state-owned power provider Eskom says efforts are being made to restore connections. Hundreds of residents had been left displaced, many spending the night in makeshift shelters, he said.
The heavy snow, rains and gale force winds have also left nearly 500,000 homes without electricity since Tuesday - and state-owned power provider Eskom says efforts are being made to restore connections.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of those who died as he urged citizens to "display caution, care and cooperation as the worst impacts of winter weather take effect across the country".South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of those who died as he urged citizens to "display caution, care and cooperation as the worst impacts of winter weather take effect across the country".
The Eastern Cape - the birthplace of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela - has been worst-affected by the icy conditions, along with KwaZulu-Natal province.The Eastern Cape - the birthplace of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela - has been worst-affected by the icy conditions, along with KwaZulu-Natal province.
The bad weather has forced the closure of some major roads in the two provinces to avoid further casualties.The bad weather has forced the closure of some major roads in the two provinces to avoid further casualties.
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Schoolchildren swept away as heavy floods and snow hit South AfricaSchoolchildren swept away as heavy floods and snow hit South Africa
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
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