South Africa's ambassador to France was found dead on Tuesday at the foot of the Hyatt Regency hotel, a high-rise tower in the west of Paris, the Reuters news agency reported, citing the Paris prosecutor's office.

South Africa's government, in a statement sent to CBS News, confirmed that Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa had died, noting with "deep sorrow and profound regret the untimely passing" of the diplomat.

"The circumstances of his death are under investigation by the French authorities," the South African foreign ministry said in the statement.

South African Ambassador to France Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa is seen in a file photo provided by the embassy. Handout/South African Embassy in Paris

Mthethwa was reported missing by his wife on Monday evening,

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