The SA Air Force has repatriated six South Africans and the body of fellow citizen Adrian Nel, who was killed by insurgents who attacked the Mozambican town of Palma.

The repatriation took place after heavily armed rebels, who are reportedly linked to the Islamic State, overran the town during a six-day battle.

The fighting is believed to have seen hundreds killed and injured with an untold number of people, including expats, who were working on a $60bn (R900bn) gas project run by French company Total on the nearby Afungi peninsula, missing.

On Tuesday in a statement, department of international relations and co-operation spokesperson Clayton Monyela said the repatriation was carried out by the air force.

“This follows the successful evacuation of six more SA nationals and the repatriation of the mortal remains of the SA man who perished in the attacks.

“The SAAF plane flew from Mozambique to KwaZulu-Natal and thereafter to Gauteng.”

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