Death toll from South Africa floods exceeds 250

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - The death toll from floods in South Africa has exceeded 250, an official said on Wednesday.

“As of last night (Tuesday), we received 253 dead bodies in two different mortuaries in eThekwini municipality,” Nomagugu Simelane, health minister of the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, told local broadcaster eNCA.

Simelane said that the death toll may increase further.

Heavy rains which began three days ago have destroyed infrastructure and flooded homes. Cases of mudslides triggered by the unusually heavy rainfall have also been reported.

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited families devastated by the floods on Wednesday afternoon and assured them of government help.

Ramaphosa said they are preparing to declare the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal a disaster area and more funds will be directed to help those affected in 10 districts of the province.

Emergency services workers say they are still continuing with search and rescue operations to get those trapped to places of safety.