EC floods: Some families losing hope missing relatives will be found alive

JOHANNESBURG - Some families in the Eastern Cape said they are fast losing hope that their missing relatives will be found alive as recovery operations in the flooded areas continue.

So far, 88 people have been confirmed dead following last week’s devastating floods.

ALSO READ: EC floods: 56 recovered bodies released to families

The exact number of missing people is unknown at this stage.

Homes and other infrastructure, including clinics, schools and bridges were also damaged, with areas in and around Mthatha among the hardest hit.

While some family members have begun identifying the bodies of their loved ones at the Mthatha mortuary, others say they are also preparing for the worst.

A frustrated father, Musa, is among those who have joined rescue teams searching through the damage for his 16-year-old daughter, Asibongile.

“We haven’t found this child. We will continue to look, but we don’t know where we’ll find our child.

"We don’t know if she’s still alive – we are losing hope. Only God knows what happens next.”