Gift of the Givers retrieves eight more bodies as death toll rises to 75 ongoing search for missing people
by Mathipa Phishego
After eight more bodies were recovered by the humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers, the death toll from the devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has grown to 75. The most recent recovery took place at Mdeni Village, which is about 32 km outside of Mthatha.
In the OR Tambo District, a severe cold front brought unrelenting rains, causing flash floods, damaged infrastructure, and mass displacement. These deaths are part of a larger tragedy.
The loss of a school transport van with 13 pupils and two adults was one of the most tragic events. The vehicle was washed away by floodwaters. Of those on board, two adults and six students have been officially declared dead. According to reports, three kids made it through the experience, clinging to trees for hours before being rescued. On the other hand, the search for the four remaining missing students is still going strong and is currently in its fourth day.
The riverbanks and surrounding area are still being searched by search and recovery teams, which include local law enforcement and community volunteers. For families waiting for word of their loved ones, Gift of the Givers, who have been at the forefront of the response, is offering trauma counselling, equipment, and logistical support.
According to Imtiaz Sooliman, the founder of Gift of the Givers, the ground is unstable and the water level is still high in some places. To help the impacted families find closure, our professionals are exerting every effort.
Drones, sniffer dogs, and divers are being used by officials to help with the search efforts, which are being conducted in challenging conditions. As families assemble every day in the hopes of hearing new information, Xoli Mngambi of Newzroom Afrika, reporting from Mthatha, emphasised the psychological toll on communities.
As they fled rising waters, several residents of the OR Tambo region have had near-death experiences, and many are still in shock at the tragedy. To meet the increasing humanitarian need, relief activities are being expanded, and Gift of the Givers is giving blankets, food parcels, water, and medical supplies.
