S Africans trapped in Lesotho

2006-08-03 22:27

Johannesburg - A rescue mission will be undertaken to save eight people trapped in their cars by snow in the mountains of Lesotho, said the department of foreign affairs on Thursday.

The four South Africans and four Basotho became stuck in the Thaba 'Tseka (Maluti) Mountains after snowfalls on Wednesday and Thursday, said spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.

"The rescue mission, organised by the SA high commission in Lesotho, was necessitated by mayday calls for assistance by the trapped victims (on Wednesday)," he said.

The high commission organised a reconnaissance flight by the Lesotho Air Force to locate them, but it had to be called off because of poor visibility.

The SA Air Force and the Lesotho Air Force are due to fly in on Friday on a rescue mission.

Mamoepa said one of the trapped people had a cellphone and was in communication with the high commission in Lesotho.

"So far, there is no cause for concern," he said.

- SAPA