The search and rescue team are searching for bodies at Umzinyathi Falls in Inanda near Durban, South Africa, April 19, 2022. STR AP President Xi Jinping has sent a message of sympathy to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over the deadly floods that have ravaged the nation's east coast, forcing it to declare a national state of disaster.
In a message on Monday, Xi expressed deep condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and expressed his sympathy for the injured, the bereaved families and the people affected by the disaster.
Xi believes that the people in the flood-hit areas can overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homes at an early date, under the leadership of the South African government.
He said on Monday that Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster over the devastating floods in the nation's KwaZulu-Natal province, saying this is a humanitarian disaster that calls for a massive and urgent relief effort. At least 443 people have died and 48 are missing around the east coast city of Durban. Nearly 4,000 homes were destroyed and over 8,300 were partially damaged. More than 40,000 people were displaced by the floods, he said.