The death toll from severe flooding in South Africa's Eastern Cape province has tragically reached 78, with ongoing search and rescue operations likely to increase this number further.

The flooding began in the early hours of June 10, 2025, triggered by an extreme weather front that brought heavy rain, strong winds, and snow, leading to rivers overflowing, particularly in the town of Mthatha.

Mthatha and its surrounding areas, located approximately 267 miles south of Durban, were particularly affected, suffering extensive damage to infrastructure and homes.

More than 3,000 homes have been impacted, resulting in significant damage to critical infrastructure, including water and electricity supplies, and affecting at least 20 health facilities.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane described the flooding as one of the worst weather-related disasters in the province's history, highlighting the extensive damage to roads and bridges.

Criticism has emerged regarding the government's initial response, with reports of inadequate resources for search and rescue operations in one of the country's poorest regions, where only one official rescue helicopter is available.

The South African government has issued warnings for caution as more extreme weather is anticipated in the coming days, urging citizens to remain vigilant.

Mabuyane characterized the situation as 'terrible,' noting that the disaster struck while many residents were asleep, compounding the tragedy.

Among the casualties are six high school students who were confirmed dead after their bus was swept away by the floods, with four others still missing.

Authorities are urging residents to report missing individuals to assist in search efforts, as the situation remains critical with many still unaccounted for.

The floods have disproportionately affected poor communities, particularly those living in informal housing and on floodplains, highlighting their vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Experts note that flooding events in South Africa have become more frequent and severe, exacerbated by the effects of climate change, which is increasingly impacting the region.