The massive departure follows weeks of targeted unrest in South Africa, where local demonstrators accused immigrants of taking jobs and resources.

South African police confirmed that the violence has directly claimed the lives of four people in transit, including two Mozambican nationals, one Malawian, and one Ethiopian.

Malawi's Department of Disaster Management stated that it utilized more than 570 buses to repatriate 38,094 people between Saturday, June 7, and Wednesday, July 8. While the transport operation avoided the active violence, six fleeing citizens died from illnesses after losing access to medical care.

Four people died while travelling and two others died after crossing into Malawi, all of whom were ill before beginning the journey, Commissioner Wilson Moleni told AFP.

"However, because they were being chased and moving from place to place, they were unable to access their medicines and hospital care," he said.

"Some spent time in camps in South Africa, which further worsened their conditions," Moleni said.

The unrest has triggered a massive regional migration crisis, forcing multiple African nations to scramble rescue operations after fringe groups increased demands in late May for undocumented migrants to leave.

Border Commissioner Michael Masiapato told AFP on Thursday that about 1,000 Ghanaians and 500 Nigerians flew from Johannesburg's airport to escape the hostility.

"Overall we can basically talk about around 60,000 individuals that have been repatriated and deported during this period," he said.

The majority of the estimated 46,000 returnees processed at South Africa's Beitbridge border post were Malawians, followed closely by Zimbabweans.

Zimbabwe's government confirmed Tuesday it had assisted nearly 21,300 citizens to return home since the crisis intensified.

Other neighboring countries are reporting similar flights to safety. Uganda's government stated on Friday that about 1,100 of its nationals had been repatriated, while hundreds of Mozambicans and Kenyans have also abandoned their homes in South Africa to escape the ongoing protests.