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JOHANNESBURG

At least 67 people have been confirmed dead, with rescuers discovering 10 more bodies following heavy flooding this week in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, government officials said on Thursday.

"At the moment, we are in the process of identifying the bodies and coordinating with their families," Zolile Williams, a provincial government minister, said during a joint briefing with national government ministers.

Williams said they are working to restore basic services, such as water and electricity, that have been damaged by the floods.

"The figure of 67 is not just a number; these are human bodies, some of whom were breadwinners and others the only children in their families," Cabinet Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa said at the briefing.

Authorities had reported 57 deaths earlier on Thursday, but the toll rose after more bodies were discovered during new rescue operations.

A minibus carrying 13 students from Jumba Senior Secondary School in the OR Tambo Inland District was swept away by heavy floods on Tuesday morning as it crossed a bridge.

Officials confirmed that six students' bodies had been recovered. Three students on the bus were rescued on Tuesday. Four others remain missing.

Since the weekend, parts of South Africa have experienced heavy snowfall, rain, and gale winds, resulting in flooding that has destroyed homes and critical infrastructure across the province.

Hundreds of people have been displaced from their homes in the Eastern Cape Province and are currently staying in community halls.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane described the floods on Wednesday as the worst the province has ever seen.

On Thursday, local television stations reported that families were queuing at local mortuaries to identify possible bodies of missing relatives.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and affected communities, assuring them of government assistance. Ramaphosa is expected to visit the province on Friday.