Eastern Cape – The body of another flood victim has been recovered near the Mthatha River, bringing the confirmed death toll from June’s devastating floods in the Eastern Cape to 101.
The latest discovery was made on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, by search and rescue teams near a steep embankment in Mount Pleasant, west of Mthatha. Authorities believe the body belongs to a young child.
Search operations remain active across the region, with teams from the Gift of the Givers and forensic experts continuing to work alongside local emergency services. The recovery scene has drawn dozens of silent onlookers from the community, many of whom gathered on a ridge above the river to watch as rescue workers combed through the debris.
The body was found trapped in rubble at the bottom of the embankment. The powerful floodwaters had swept mud, branches, and debris down the slope, creating a hazardous terrain that rescue workers are still navigating. Shoes, items of clothing, and school bags remain scattered along the path leading to the river, serving as a somber reminder of the lives disrupted by the floods.
Since early Tuesday morning, a South African National Defence Force helicopter has been conducting aerial surveillance of the area. This is part of a wider search strategy aimed at locating people who are still missing.
Officials confirmed that the recovered body has not yet been formally identified. An investigation is underway to determine the identity of the victim and assess how far the floodwaters may have carried them.
Authorities and humanitarian teams continue to urge residents in the affected areas to report any information that may assist in locating missing persons as the search efforts press on.
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