More than a week after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, the body of 28-year-old South African teacher, Cowan Titus, has been recovered from the rubble.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) made the tragic announcement on Friday.
Titus, whose family home is in Durban, is one of more than 3 000 people who have lost their lives as a result of the quake.
According to reports, more than 4 700 people were injured in the natural disaster and hundreds are still missing.
Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said Titus’ body was retrieved from rubble in Myanmar.
“We have just received unfortunate news today that one of the bodies that was retrieved from the rubble in Myanmar is that of a South African teacher who taught English. The family has been informed. We are in touch with them,” he said.
Monyela said the department has also rendered consular assistance to the family.
“We will be working with them with regards to what happens here and going forward.”
He further stated that the 11 South African citizens who the department had been made aware of on Tuesday were all safe and accounted for.
“The South African government, through the diplomatic mission in Thailand, is rendering consular services to them and we are in touch with their families and loved ones here at home.”
Titus was scheduled to leave Myanmar on March 31 for a month-long vacation in South Africa, but an earthquake struck on March 28 as schools were closing for the holidays, according to his mother Samantha.
Titus relocated from the Bluff to Mandalay in Myanmar a year ago to begin his teaching career. He lived by himself in an apartment.
The earthquake’s epicentre was reported to be 16km north-west of Sagaing, a town near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city with a population of approximately 1.5 million people.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, a family member shared that they have received an overwhelming outpouring of love and support during this challenging time and that they are deeply grateful to every one.
karen.singh@inl.co.za
