Devastating Storm Hits KwaZulu-Natal: 11 Dead and Rising

A violent storm ravaged South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and widespread destruction. Residents in the town of Tongaat are searching through the debris of their damaged homes. Local officials, including premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, warn that the death toll could increase.

A storm ripped through the South African coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, killing at least 11 people and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, local officials said. Drone footage taken on Tuesday in the South African town of Tongaat showed residents sifting through debris strewn around their damaged homes, trying to salvage what was left of their belongings.

Local media cited the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, as saying the death toll could rise from the 11 reported killed so far. Trevor Freemantle, who was driving in the area, filmed dark clouds swirling above the suburb of La Mercy near Durban.

"It really did look like something you would see in a movie," he told Reuters. "After it passed I noticed vehicles that had been struck by debris and a truck had been turned on its side."