A tragic series of flash floods in the small town of Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, has resulted in the loss of over a dozen lives, according to officials on Saturday.

The floods, which struck on Christmas Day, have left devastation in their wake, with approximately 1,400 homes destroyed and an unconfirmed number of people still missing.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda provided an update on the grim situation, stating: “As of Friday, 29 December 2023, a total of 21 bodies have been recovered.” Search and rescue teams are actively working to locate missing individuals, and the death toll is anticipated to rise.

The operation, which involves scouring rivers for bodies, is expected to continue throughout the weekend, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Families in Ladysmith are grappling with the aftermath, with one family set to bury seven of its members who tragically lost their lives when floods swept their vehicle into a river.

Vincent Msimango, his wife, two children, brother, niece, and nephew are among the victims, with rescue teams recovering their bodies earlier in the week, as reported by local news outlet Eyewitness News on Saturday.

KwaZulu-Natal province has unfortunately experienced devastating floods in recent years. In June, heavy rainfall triggered deluges that claimed the lives of seven people, with an additional seven reported missing in and around the city of Durban. The province faced another tragedy in April 2022 when severe floods resulted in the loss of over 440 lives.

As Ladysmith grapples with the immediate aftermath of the flash floods, the community and authorities are mobilizing resources for ongoing search and rescue efforts, highlighting the resilience and solidarity needed in the face of natural disasters. (ILKHA)