Johannesburg - The final number of South Africans killed in a building collapse in Lagos, Nigeria, will be known once search and rescue missions are complete, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.
“Our high commission in Nigeria gave us the figure of 67 people who died… but search and rescue missions are still continuing after which we will know how many citizens we have lost,” he said at the presidential local government summit in Midrand.
“We meet during a sad period when many South Africans have died tragically… we extend our deepest condolences again to the families and relatives.”
A guest house of faith healer TB Joshua's Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos on Friday, killing and injuring scores of people.
Zuma said he had established an inter-ministerial task team, chaired by Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, to help with the aftermath of the disaster.
Others on the team are Co-operative Governance Minister Pravin Gordhan, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko, State Security Minister David Mahlobo, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. - Sapa