Two of the four South Africans, who were earlier on Sunday reported missing following a stampede in Mecca, were found in a safe condition at a local police station, the South African mission in Saudi Arabia said.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the latest developments were communicated by South African ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohamed Dangor.
Two hundred and forty-four people trampled to death and the same number injured on Sunday near the holy city of Mecca as pilgrims scrambled to stone pillars representing the devil.
Mamoepa said the government remained hopeful that a search for the two unaccounted South Africans would yield positive results.
”The government (SA) will do everything in its power to locate the unaccounted South Africans,” he said.
Mamoepa said Dangor was currently in Mecca to assess the situation.
President Thabo Mbeki on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa extended sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the Saudi Arabian government and the Muslim community at home and abroad.
”Our thoughts and prayers reach out to those families who lost their loved ones and wish those wounded a speedy recovery,” Mbeki said in a diplomatic message to the Saudi Arabian government. – Sapa