The ten-member team comprises a variety of experts dealing with search and rescue in rubble, as well as doctors, amongst others.

This follows the announcement by President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday night that 67 South Africans were killed during a building collapse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations last Friday.

“As per the instruction of our President Jacob Zuma, government has activated here at home a disaster management process and is treating the matter with the utmost urgency it deserves.

“Government understands fully the anguish and pain of the affected families and we are walking this difficult and painful [journey] hand in hand with the families.

“I am also able to confirm that an advanced team from the disaster management centre that I spoke about are boarding an aircraft to Nigeria with all the expertise that we thought was needed,” she said.

Available: http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/sa-team-dispatched-lagos