Search resumes after floods kill 49 in S.Africa

Rescue teams in South Africa raced on Thursday to reach survivors after heavy rains flooded parts of an eastern province, with 49 people already confirmed dead as of 11th June.

Torrential rains and freezing temperatures struck the largely rural and underdeveloped Eastern Cape on Monday, causing major flooding that submerged houses and swept away at least one minibus, transporting children to school, four of whom were still missing. The Eastern Cape government spokesperson said that five teams were involved in search and rescue efforts around the city of Mthatha, about 800 kilometres south of Johannesburg.