Late snowstorms hit the coast of South Africa, leaving two dead

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Unseasonably late snowstorms hit coastal areas of South Africa over the weekend, killing two people and leading to the closure of some of the country's major highways.

The deaths were attributed to hypothermia after the two people became trapped in vehicles stranded by heavy snowfall on the N3, the main road to the coastal city of Durban. One of the victims was a 39-year-old woman who was trapped in a minibus.

The provinces of KwZulu-Natal and Free State were the worst hit by the storms. Authorities warned that some areas could experience flooding when the snow begins to melt. Many farmers' crops were buried under snow for two days.

Rescue workers were busy towing dozens of trucks and other vehicles stuck in the snow, while others distributed food and hot drinks to drivers who had been stranded for hours.

Motorists were warned to drive carefully in the cleared areas.

In KwaZulu-Natal, schools were closed and the provincial minister for cooperative governance, Thulasizwe Buthelez, warned that flooding could occur in communities along the Tugela River.

“As schools remain closed, parents are urged to keep their children away from unguarded water bodies such as rivers and dams,” Buthelezi said.