SINGAPORE – Two Singaporeans died in South Africa on Sunday afternoon in a river canoe expedition gone wrong.

The victims – a 34-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman – were part of a group of 20 Singaporeans who were canoeing in the Crocodile River accompanied by six local guides when their canoes capsized.

Captain Aafje Botman, a spokesman for the South African Police Service, told The Straits Times the two victims allegedly drowned after two canoes capsized.

South African media outlets reported that the group had set off from a camp near the Lion and Safari Park in Broederstroom, an hour’s car ride from Johannesburg.

In a statement, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its team at Hartbeespoort Dam, the Strategic Response Rescue Unit and the South African Police Service responded to the incident at about 2.40pm.

The NSRI rescues those experiencing distress in South Africa’s coastal and inland waters.

Its spokesman, Mr Craig Lambinon, said in a message to the media, including The Straits Times, that the incident took place between the Lion and Safari Park and Hartbeespoort Dam, adding that rescue swimmers and medics were deployed on site.

“On arrival at the scene, paramedics conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts on an adult male and an adult female. Despite extensive efforts to the two patients, both... were sadly declared deceased,” he said.

Eight Singaporeans had fallen into the river after their canoes capsized, with the tour guides entering the water to save them, said Mr Lambinon.

When the authorities arrived, six of the Singaporeans and two male tour guides were still in the river, and had to be rescued through a combined effort.

The other guides were trying to resuscitate the two Singaporeans, who were later declared dead.

Both male tour guides were unconscious when taken to land, and are currently recovering in hospital.

Meanwhile, the six Singaporeans were treated for injuries before being discharged. The other 12 were uninjured.

Conveying his condolences to the victims’ loved ones, Mr Lambinon said the police have opened an inquest docket, which is a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts related to an unnatural death.

He added that the tour operator is cooperating with the authorities and assisting those affected.

A representative from Singapore-based portal The Travel Intern, which organised the tour, said its biggest priority at the moment is supporting the families of those who died.

The 20 Singaporeans comprised 18 tourists and two staff from The Travel Intern.

At the time of the incident, they were on the second-last day of their tour in South Africa, which was co-organised with a licensed operator in the country.

The two people who died were not The Travel Intern staff.

The representative said the company has dispatched an additional staff member from its travel agency arm, who flew over immediately to support the team on the ground.

He added that the firm has been “focusing all our efforts on supporting the families with the repatriation of their loved ones”.

When asked if counselling would be offered to the affected tourists, he said: “We are doing everything in our capacity to help those who are affected and are exploring options.”

He said he was unable to comment further, citing ongoing investigations.

In response to queries from ST, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences to the victims’ families.

It is also rendering consular assistance to the families, said a spokesman for the ministry.

Correction note: An earlier version of the story stated that one of the victims was 30 years old. She was 39 years old.