Body of Mr Johannes Hoffman repatriated from Gough Island
The body of Mr Johannes Hoffman, the deceased member of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) over-wintering team on Gough Island (Gough 58), has been recovered from the Island and is on its way to Cape Town.
The SA Agulhas, which left Cape Town for Gough Island on the 21st of February, arrived on the island last Thursday and was expected to sail back to Cape Town by Friday, 28 February (weather permitting). On board the vessel was a Chaplain (who is a qualified Trauma counsellor), and a replacement communications engineer.
After a short ceremony on the island, Mr Hoffman’s body was successfully removed from the base and transferred to the vessel with the required care. The Chaplain conducted both individual and group counselling sessions with members of the Gough 58 over-wintering team.
The vessel is expected to arrive back in Cape Town later this week where it will be met by officials from DEA, the provincial department of Health and the South African Police Services.
For media enquiries:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
