AKIPRESS.COM - Strong rains and snowfall are observed in several regions of South Africa, as a result of which heavy flooding occurred in Eastern Cape province. At least 49 people have died, Al Jazeera reported.

The school bus was caught in floodwaters, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said at a press conference. Six high school students died, four other students were among the missing. Three of the students were rescued when they were found clinging to trees.

Mabuyane added that rain and snowfall caused landslides, which led to the closure of many highways. The weather conditions also created traffic jams on the roads for many kilometers. In the south and east of the country, hundreds of thousands of homes were left without electricity. Approximately 500 people were taken to temporary shelters after their homes were washed away or damaged.