Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s office confirmed the deaths on Tuesday, June 10. Authorities said three students were rescued after clinging to trees for survival.
At least six high school students have died in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region after their school bus was swept away by floodwaters. According to officials, four other students remain missing.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s office confirmed the deaths on Tuesday, June 10. Authorities said three students were rescued after clinging to trees for survival. The empty bus was later found on Wednesday, June 11.
“As we speak here, other bodies are being discovered,” Mabuyane stated during a news conference, according to the Associated Press.
Reuters reported that 13 children and two adults were on the bus when it was caught in the floods. The BBC confirmed the recovery of the driver and conductor’s bodies.
The fatalities are among dozens caused by a cold front that brought heavy snow and rain to the region. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of homes have experienced power outages due to the severe weather, officials said.