Eastern Cape flood disaster claims 101 lives: search for missing victims continues
Infant among the deceased as the province grapples with loss and the R5.1 billion estimated damage.
Story by: Lubabalo Ngcukana
At least 101 people have been confirmed dead following the devastating floods that swept across the Eastern Cape, with the OR Tambo District suffering the most fatalities. The youngest victim was a 12-month-old infant whose body was recovered earlier this week in Mthatha.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, Zolile Williams, confirmed the death toll on Thursday, noting that 94 of the deceased have been positively identified and handed over to their families. The remaining seven bodies still require identification, with some potentially needing DNA testing due to advanced decomposition.
“Indeed, this moment will be recorded among the most agonising chapters in our province’s history,” said Williams. “The repeated need to announce more deaths has placed an immense emotional toll on all of us.”
The breakdown of fatalities by district is as follows:
- OR Tambo District: 77
- Amathole District: 10
- Alfred Nzo District: 5
- Chris Hani District: 5
- Joe Gqabi District: 2
- Sarah Baartman District: 2
A total of 38 children are among the dead, including 32 learners, with two children still missing. The province estimates the total damage at R5.1 billion, affecting homes, roads, bridges, schools, and public infrastructure.
The provincial government has confirmed that the floods have been declared a national disaster, unlocking potential support from the national treasury. Provincial departments are also reprioritising their budgets to respond to the crisis.
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