Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
3 July 2002
The South African Government has expressed its deep concern and regret on learning of the collision between the aircraft of the Bashkirian Airlines and DHL Worldwide Express.
The Government conveys its sincere condolences to the Government and the people of the Russian Federation at the loss of life and in particular the death of the 52 children.
The circumstances that lead to this heartbreak event make this an even bigger tragedy. The fact that the children missed their original flight and boarded the ill-fated aircraft that crashed over Lake Constance in Germany will stay with us as we mourn the lives of these children with their families.