TOLL RISES AS FLOODS DEVASTATE SOUTH AFRICA COAST

AT least 60 people have died and more than 1000 forced to flee their homes after heavy rains caused flooding and mudslides along South Africa’s east coast.

Most of the deaths were in KwaZulu-Natal province but flooding also killed at least three people in neighbouring Eastern Cape province.

KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services spokesman Robert McKenzie said the rains mainly hit areas around the port city of Durban, and multiple homes collapsed in the resulting mudslides.

Victor da Silva, a resident of the coastal town of Amanzimtoti, said his family managed to evacuate before the floods destroyed their home and cars.

“I got here, everything was fine, my garage was still here, the other part of the house was still here, and it just couldn’t stop raining,” Mr Da Silva said.

“And then an hour-and-ahalf later, everything, poof, (vanished) because the rain just hasn’t stopped.”

The region had been hit by heavy rains for days.

Last week, 13 people were killed during an Easter service in KwaZulu-Natal when a church wall collapsed after days of heavy rains and strong winds.

Picture: AFP The Umhlatuzana Hindu Temple, south of Durban, damaged after the South African township was hit by heavy rain and flash floods