Search continues for six missing South Africans

The search and recovery efforts to locate six missing South Africans in Nepal are facing significant challenges due to difficult terrain and flood damage. The Himalayan region of Nepal and China have been hit by a devastating flood, resulting in over 1,000 confirmed deaths and thousands of people missing, including tourists, pilgrims, and hydropower workers.

The South African government is working closely with Nepalese authorities to gather information about the six South Africans - Surendranath Maharaj, 74, his wife Anita Devi Maharaj, 67, Vivaganathan “Tony” Pillay, 66, his wife Janet Pillay, 56, Bavila Ramjee, 43, and Terrricia Govender, 33 - who remain missing.

Professor Anil Sooklal, the South African High Commissioner to India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, stated that the Nepalese government has restricted access to the affected area, limiting rescue operations to their own security forces. This restriction, designated by the Nepalese government, has hampered efforts to locate the missing, as bodies have been found as far as the neighboring state of Bihar in the Brahmaputra River.

The Nepalese Foreign Minister only recently allowed four friendly countries, including South Africa, to assist with rescue operations.

Despite the restrictions, South African consular services are maintaining daily contact with Nepalese authorities to seek information about the missing South Africans. The High Commissioner emphasized the pain and anguish faced by South African families, expressing the need to provide reassurance that direct contact has been made with Nepalese authorities.

South Africans have offered assistance in the form of contributions to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund, recognizing Nepal's historical support for South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.