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Pretoria - A team of search and rescue and body identification experts is flying to Nigeria to assist in the search for South African victims of the church building collapse in Lagos.
- Are you there or do you have friends or family who are affected? Send us your stories..
IOL reported on Wednesday that about 18 South Africans remain unaccounted for after the guesthouse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) collapsed last Friday.
SA High Commissioner to Nigeria Lulu Mnguni told eNCA the death toll of 67 South Africans could rise - but may also fall if survivors are found. A South African woman was pulled from the rubble on Tuesday morning with only a broken wrist, according to the IOL report.
Most victims from SA
Mnguni said it was difficult to identify the remains of South African victims because a doctor they had sent to the mortuary was turned away.
It is believed that most of the people in the guesthouse when it collapsed were South Africans. According to the church, about 500 South Africans visit every week.
The Star reported that five different South African church tour groups, comprising about 300 people, were staying in the guesthouse when it collapsed.
About 20 people are in hospital and 248 are hospitalised, Mnguni said.
Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said the number of South Africans killed was based on information received from friends and family of the victims.
Our team in #Nigeria not getting the cooperation they need. Verification very difficult. As Maharaj said "take figure of 67 with caution".
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) September 16, 2014Statement by President Zuma regarding SA citizens affected by the church building collapse in Nigeria http://t.co/yUBo9CZjKX
— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) September 16, 2014
