Eastern cape: The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has confirmed that the death toll from the recent devastating floods has reached 102, with bodies recovered from various districts since search and rescue missions commenced earlier this month.
According to South African Government News Agency, the fatalities were reported across several districts, with O.R. Tambo suffering the highest number of casualties at 78. Other affected districts include Amathole with 10 fatalities, Alfred Nzo with five, Joe Gqabi with two, Sarah Baartman with two, and Chris Hani with five. Among the 102 bodies recovered, 96 have been identified and returned to their families, while six remain unidentified. The need for DNA testing has been highlighted for decomposed bodies to ensure accurate identification.
Search and recovery operations continue, supported by the South African Police Service and Emergency Medical Services helicopters, to locate potential remaining victims, including two missing children. The provincial government has been actively providing aid to displaced families, offering shelter, meals, and essentials in community care centers within the O.R. Tambo and Amathole districts.
The Department of Health is supplying vital medical services on-site, and the Department of Social Development, with private sector assistance, is delivering psychosocial support to grieving families and affected schools. Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs has deployed mobile units to help replace essential documents such as IDs and birth certificates for those impacted.
To date, the province has facilitated 478 ID replacement applications, with mobile units stationed in key districts. So far, 56 flood victims have been laid to rest, with the government extending condolences and ensuring dignified burials. The Eastern Cape has been declared a national disaster zone, prompting coordinated efforts to restore water supply and provide necessary resources to affected communities, supported by municipal and departmental water tankers and the Gift of the Givers organization.