Dozens still missing as South Africa floods death toll rises to 443

AFP

Rescuers searched for dozens of people still missing in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province on Sunday after heavy rains in recent days triggered floods and mudslides that have killed more than 440 people.

The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa's busiest ports, Durban. A provincial economic official estimated the overall infrastructure damage at more than 10 billion rand ($684.6 million).

The province's premier, Sihle Zikalala, said the death toll had risen to 443, with a further 63 people unaccounted for.

In some of the worst-affected areas, residents said they were terrified by the thought of more rain, which was forecast to fall on Sunday. Some faced an agonising wait for news of missing loved ones.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said late on Saturday he had delayed a working visit to Saudi Arabia to focus on the disaster. Ramaphosa will meet cabinet ministers to assess the response to the crisis.

KZN Premier Zikalala told a televised briefing that the floods were among the worst in his province's recorded history.

"We need to summon our collective courage and turn this devastation into an opportunity to rebuild our province," he said. "The people of KwaZulu-Natal will rise from this mayhem."

More from International

  • First polls open, kicking off 2024 US Election

    The first polls have opened in the east coast's Vermont at 0500 ET (1400 GST) on Tuesday, kicking off the 2024 US Election and capping weeks of campaigning by candidates Trump and Harris that has left them virtually even in preliminary opinion polls. 

  • Kamala Harris' ancestral village prays for her victory

    With sacred chants, ringing of bells and offerings of flowers and bananas, a Hindu priest in Kamala Harris' ancestral village in southern India conducted prayers on Tuesday for her victory in the US presidential election.

  • US says Israel failing to improve aid provision to Gaza

    Israel has so far failed to significantly turn around the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday, as a deadline set by the US to improve the situation approaches.

  • Israeli airstrikes kill at least 37 Palestinians in Gaza

    Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least 37 Palestinians since Monday night, Palestinian media and medics said on Tuesday, as the Israeli army tightened its siege on northern areas of the enclave. 

  • Philippines calls evacuations ahead of Typhoon Marce

    The Philippines ordered evacuations, stockpiled food and put soldiers on standby in preparation for Typhoon Marce, officials said on Tuesday, as the storm barrels towards northeastern towns where it could make landfall this week.