Minister Dlamini Zuma Authorises Emergency Evacuation of South Africans in Thailand

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, today, Monday 27 December 2004 authorised an emergency evacuation of South Africans trapped in Phuket, Thailand following the devastating earthquake and tidal waves that have affected the South East Asia region and parts of North Africa.

In this regard, a plane-load carrying doctors, paramedics, Foreign Affairs Consular Service Officers and Home Affairs officials will depart South Africa on Tuesday 28 December for Phuket to provide medical, welfare and temporary travel documents for South Africans trapped on the island to return safely home South Africa's Ambassador to Thailand, Ms. Buli Ndzimande Pheto arrived in advance in Phuket earlier on Monday to co-ordinate the evacuation of South Africans on the island. Ambassador Pheto has already met with South Africans on the island as part of the government's efforts to lend a hand to South Africans in distress abroad.

Phuket has been identified as the island with most South Africans who were on holiday prior to the disaster. In this context, Foreign Affairs Operational Centre in Pretoria has already processed over 700 telephone calls from South Africans enquiring about relatives on the island.

DEATHS
Meanwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has been advised officially of the deaths of two South Africans in Phuket. Accordingly and on behalf of the South African Government, Minister Dlamini Zuma extends her heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved families.

On Sunday 27 December, President Thabo Mbeki expressed South Africa's condolences to the Heads of State and Government of India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Maldives and Sri Lanka on the loss of lives following the tsunamis disaster.

"Our thoughts and prayers reach out the government of peoples of your countries and in particular families who have lost their loved ones" said President Mbeki.

MISSING SOUTH AFRICANS

So far reports from South African Diplomatic missions in South East Asia indicate the following
2 South Africans are still missing in Chennai, India
2 South Africans that were missing in Sri Lanka have now been located

FURTHER OPERATIONAL SERVICES CONTACT NUMBERS

Members of the public enquiring about their relatives in the South East Asia can also contact Operational Centre at the following addresses:
FAXES: 012-351-0364/0396
E-MAIL : opsroom@foreign.gov.za

TELEPHONE: 012-351-1000 AND OR 012-324-2442
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
28 December 2004.