Altogether 14 South Africans are still in Mumbai, India, following the terrorist attacks that left over 100 people dead, the Foreign Affairs department said on Thursday.

"Government is in contact with three pilots, four crew members, and seven others [who] still remain trapped in the Oberoi hotel", department spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said.

Two of the seven were SA Revenue Service (Sars) officials, who were successfully contacted by the consulate-general, he said.

Government remained in close contact with the management of the South African Airways (SAA), which had sent an aircraft to Mumbai to pick them up.

The plane was due to land in Mumbai at 11.30pm [Mumbai time].

SAA chief executive Khaya Ngqula said he was greatly relieved that all crew members in Mumbai had been located.

"We are now working to ensure that we bring them, and our passengers, back to South Africa safely," he said.

SAA had been informed that Mumbai's airport remained secure and safe.

Foreign news agencies reported that teams of gunmen stormed hotels, a restaurant, a train station and hospitals in co-ordinated attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital, taking westerners hostage.

A group of suspected Muslim militants had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

  • South Africans can contact the foreign affairs consular section in Pretoria on 012-351-1000 regarding their relatives in Mumbai.

    Sapa

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