The bodies of two tourists have been found floating in a crocodile-infested river at a South African safari park. The victims, believed to be a 71-year-old man and his wife, were allegedly stabbed to death. Police have now opened a double murder investigation following the tragic discovery of the tourists' remains. Their bodies were found in the Limpopo River at Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa. The tourists had been reported missing and rangers desperately searched the safari park, which is around the same size as Wales, for the pair. They were seen entering at the Pafuri Gate on Sunday in a green Ford ranger but after three days there was no sign of them. A search was launched on Thursday evening after staff realised the couple had not returned to camp. When their corpses were discovered on Friday, the vehicle they had been travelling in was nowhere to be seen. Pictured: Limpopo River at the Pafuri game reserve, where the park rangers made the gruesome discovery after the victims had not been seen for three days Their bodies were left floating in the crocodile-infested river at a picnic site in Crook's Corner, a river crossing where the borders of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique meet. It is located around 20 minutes by car from the camp where the victims had been staying. It is 'the first time in the history of the Kruger National Park' that an incident of this nature has been reported. South African National Parks said on Friday that it was 'shocked and saddened' to learn of the couple's deaths. In a statement, the body said: 'The management of South African National Parks has learned with shock and sadness of the discovery of bodies of two tourists in the Pafuri section (Nxanatseni North Region) of the Kruger National Park on Friday, 22 May 2026.'A search operation was launched on Thursday, 21 May 2026 evening after camp staff noticed the tourists had not returned to camp. 'The search continued, on Friday, 22 May 2026 leading to the gruesome discovery of two bodies near a river area by other tourists.'Rangers were alerted and it was also established that the vehicle the tourists had been travelling in was missing from the scene. Pictured: Crook's Corner, a river crossing where the borders of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique meet'It is the first time in the history of the Kruger National Park that an incident of this nature has been reported, sadly reacted the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp.'The next of kin of the deceased have been informed and the organisation will assist the family with transport to Limpopo as well as accommodation and repatriation costs. 'Minister Aucamp, the Board and Management of SANParks extend their deepest condolences to the affected family and friends.'The matter is now referred to the Police who will conduct further investigations, said the minister.'Furthermore, out of respect for the family and to allow investigations to proceed unhindered, no further comment will be provided at this stage.'According to SABC News, the victims suffered multiple stab wounds to their upper bodies. Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba told the outlet: 'The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear at this stage, and the police have opened two counts of murder and hijacking for further investigation. 'Lieutenant General Hadebe has assured the public that maximum resources have been mobilised to ensure that those responsible are traced and brought to justice. 'The South African police Service is working closely with Kruger National Park authorities as investigations continue.' Kruger National Park covers over 7,500sq miles of land in northeastern South Africa. Areas of the park first became protected in 1898 and it became the country's first national park 100 years ago in 1926. In 2024, nearly two million people visited the safari park.