South African mission in Nigeria after church-collapse tragedy

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj says a South African mission is currently in Nigeria, and is working closely with authorities to assist in rescue work and identifying bodies.

President Jacob Zuma announced on Tuesday that 67 South Africans were killed when a church building collapsed in Lagos on Friday.

Maharaj says the mission consists out of staff from the High Commission bases in Nigeria and the consul general.

"Our mission in Nigeria is involved in this process, officials are on the site they are doing everything possible working with authorities from Nigeria, using every possible avenue to assist in the rescue work.Our focus at this stage is on moving forward and not looking backward on issues of why and how this happened." says Maharaj.

The 67 were among scores of worshippers who died when hostel on the campus of televangelist TB Joshua collapsed on Friday.

Up to 1000 rescue workers have been searching the rubble of the building since then.

Officials say at least five South African church tour groups were at the church, known as The Synagogue, at the time of the collapse.