SINGAPORE — Two tourists from Singapore died after a canoeing accident at Crocodile River in South Africa on Sunday (June 18).

They were part of 20 Singapore tourists and six river guides from South Africa on the canoeing trip. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, South African's National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said that its Hartbeespoort Dam team, the Strategic Rescue Unit and the South African police had responded to an accident involving canoes along the Crocodile River at 2.42pm and there were casualties.

NSRI is a volunteer organisation that conducts life-saving work on South African waters.

The bodies of the two deceased tourists — whose age and identity have yet to be confirmed — have been taken to the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services there.

TODAY understands that the two who died were Singaporeans.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told TODAY that it is rendering consular assistance to the affected families, through the Singapore High Commission in South Africa's administrative capital of Pretoria.

"We extend our condolences to the bereaved families," it added.

NSRI said that eight tourists fell into the waters when four canoes capsized.

“On arrival at the scene, paramedics conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts on an adult male and an adult female.”

It added: “Despite extensive CPR efforts to the two patients, both the man and the woman were sadly declared deceased by paramedics.”

Six tourists and two river guides were rescued from the water with the help of emergency services, other river guides and tourists.

The six tourists were treated for injuries on the scene and were later released.

The two river guides were taken to hospital and are recovering.

The remaining 12 tourists were not injured.

NSRI conveyed its condolences to the families and friends of the deceased tourists, adding that the police have opened an inquest into the incident.

“The tour operator is assisting the tourists and families of those affected in cooperation with the authorities,” it said.

“Our thoughts are with all involved in this difficult time,” it added.

WHAT TOUR ORGANISER SAYS

In response to TODAY's queries, a representative from a Singapore-based website The Travel Intern, which organised the tour, said that the accident happened on the second last day of the tour.

The firm is working closely with the South African authorities and MFA while investigations are ongoing, he added.

Among the 20 tourists from Singapore, 18 were participants in the tour and two were from the travel agency's arm.

The representative said that the firm's "biggest priority" now is to support the affected families, and a staff member from the agency's arm flew to South Africa to support the team on the ground.

"We have been in close contact with the families, helping with travel arrangements and focusing all our efforts on supporting the repatriation of their loved ones. The families are currently in South Africa." 

TODAY has reached out to the South African police for more details of the accident.