GOVERNMENT was working through its mission in Tunisia to verify reports that South Africans were wounded in Wednesday’s terrorist attack on a museum in Tunis, Deputy International Relations Minister Luwellyn Landers said on Thursday.
Briefing the media on international developments on Thursday, Mr Landers said government had taken note of the attack in which scores of people were killed, and again condemned terrorism in all its forms.
Masked gunmen entered Bardo museum, a popular tourist attraction, in Tunis on Wednesday and opened fire, killing 17 foreign tourists and two Tunisians.
"Officials from the South African embassy in Tunis are working with authorities to verify reports that South African citizens were amongst those affected by the attack. At this point, we are still waiting for official confirmation from the Tunisian authorities through our embassy in Tunis," said Mr Landers.
"In the meantime, the South African government strongly condemns the attack on innocent civilians. We reiterate our stance that terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned," he said.
"South Africa will continue to support regional and international efforts to address the scourge of terrorism in all its forms, including working through relevant forums such as the AU (African Union) Peace and Security Council, of which South Africa is a member state," Mr Landers said.
Responding to questions, he said that officials in Tunis had on Thursday morning visited hospitals and engaged with Tunisian authorities to "establish the veracity of reports that South Africans had been wounded in the attack".
He said it was not known if or how many South Africans were involved and government was waiting for reports from the mission in Tunis.
"The matter is, of course, urgent," he said.
MSC Cruises SA released a statement following the attack on Wednesday saying that a South African woman was among the 3,714 guests and 1,267 crew members aboard the MSC Splendida that docked at the port of La Goulette, Tunis.
"During the visit at the museum, some of MSC Cruises’ guests were caught in the middle of a terrorist attack along with guests from another cruise line," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
"MSC Cruises SA has confirmed there are 78 South Africans on board the MSC Splendida. All of these passengers are accounted for. One passenger was injured in the attack and was swiftly taken to a local hospital where she is receiving relevant treatment," the statement read.
MSC Cruises said the woman’s husband disembarked and remained with her and MSC had set up a crisis team to help.
With Sapa
People surround an ambulance carrying the bodies of the victims of an attack by gunmen on Tunisia's national museum in Tunis on Wednesday. Picture: REUTERS
GOVERNMENT was working through its mission in Tunisia to verify reports that South Africans were wounded in Wednesday’s terrorist attack on a museum in Tunis, Deputy International Relations Minister Luwellyn Landers said on Thursday.
Briefing the media on international developments on Thursday, Mr Landers said government had taken note of the attack in which scores of people were killed, and again condemned terrorism in all its forms.
Masked gunmen entered Bardo museum, a popular tourist attraction, in Tunis on Wednesday and opened fire, killing 17 foreign tourists and two Tunisians.
"Officials from the South African embassy in Tunis are working with authorities to verify reports that South African citizens were amongst those affected by the attack. At this point, we are still waiting for official confirmation from the Tunisian authorities through our embassy in Tunis," said Mr Landers.
"In the meantime, the South African government strongly condemns the attack on innocent civilians. We reiterate our stance that terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned," he said.
"South Africa will continue to support regional and international efforts to address the scourge of terrorism in all its forms, including working through relevant forums such as the AU (African Union) Peace and Security Council, of which South Africa is a member state," Mr Landers said.
Responding to questions, he said that officials in Tunis had on Thursday morning visited hospitals and engaged with Tunisian authorities to "establish the veracity of reports that South Africans had been wounded in the attack".
He said it was not known if or how many South Africans were involved and government was waiting for reports from the mission in Tunis.
"The matter is, of course, urgent," he said.
MSC Cruises SA released a statement following the attack on Wednesday saying that a South African woman was among the 3,714 guests and 1,267 crew members aboard the MSC Splendida that docked at the port of La Goulette, Tunis.
"During the visit at the museum, some of MSC Cruises’ guests were caught in the middle of a terrorist attack along with guests from another cruise line," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
"MSC Cruises SA has confirmed there are 78 South Africans on board the MSC Splendida. All of these passengers are accounted for. One passenger was injured in the attack and was swiftly taken to a local hospital where she is receiving relevant treatment," the statement read.
MSC Cruises said the woman’s husband disembarked and remained with her and MSC had set up a crisis team to help.
With Sapa
Post a comment