Update on South Africans Affected by Tsunami - Tuesday 18 January 2005

The number of South Africans who were unaccounted for since the tsunami tragedy, continues to decline at a faster rate in tandem with more Foreign Affairs Consular efforts and co-operation with affected families intensifies.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can reveal that today, Tuesday 18 January 2005, the number of unaccounted South Africans has now decreased to 11 from a total of 1137 a few weeks ago, due largely to intensified co-operation between the affected families and the foreign ministry.

As more and more families make contact with their unaccounted relatives, the affected families have made it a point to inform the foreign ministry of these developments thus assisting in reducing the number of South Africans that the foreign ministry through its consular services has been looking for.

On the other hand, the number of deaths still remain at 11 whilst those that have been officially designated as missing stand at 4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will leave no stone unturned, including exploring further co-operation with Interpol, in its efforts to trace these missing South Africans.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
18 January 2005.