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The death toll from flooding in South Africa's Eastern Cape province has risen to 57, including several schoolchildren. The disaster was caused by an extreme cold front that brought heavy rain and snow to parts of the country.
At least 58 schools and 20 hospitals were damaged, with about 500 people forced into temporary shelters, according to provincial authorities. Tens of thousands of homes were left without power due to damaged infrastructure.
Rescue operations are continuing for a third day in a row. Authorities warn that the death toll could continue to rise as search and rescue efforts continue. The flooding has hit one of South Africa's poorest provinces, where many people live in vulnerable areas.
The Eastern Cape and neighboring KwaZulu-Natal province were among the hardest hit by the disaster, with authorities announcing a mobilization of all available resources to assist those affected and repair damaged infrastructure.