Search resumes after floods kill 49 in South Africa

A general view of a severely damaged home and a crack in the road following heavy rains and winds in Durban. [AFP]

Rescue teams in South Africa raced on Thursday to reach survivors after heavy rains flooded parts of an eastern province, with 49 people already confirmed dead and fears the toll could rise.

Torrential rains and freezing temperatures struck the largely rural and underdeveloped Eastern Cape on Monday, causing major flooding that submerged houses and swept away at least one minibus transporting children to school, four of whom were still missing.