Pope prays for victims of South Africa floods

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis has asked for prayers for “those who have lost their lives or suffered serious damage as a result of the recent floods in South Africa”.

He was addressing the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Regina Coeli prayer.

“May these brothers and sisters of ours not lack our solidarity as well as the concrete support of the international community” he said.

The most deadly floods ever in the area

Seventy people reportedly died in floods that ravaged parts of the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa's southeast.

The flooding began on Monday after heavy rain caused mudslides in several towns in Durban, the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal.

Authorities warned that there could be more rains in the coming days.

Makeshift shelters and food are being provided for those displaced from their homes in the aftermath of the flooding.

State-owned broadcaster SABC puts the number of those displaced at over 1000.