The collapse of an under-construction apartment building in George, South Africa, resulted in the deaths of two workers, with 53 others remaining trapped under the rubble. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, and emergency personnel were working tirelessly to locate and rescue survivors. The collapse occurred around 2 p.m. with 75 workers present at the site, and an additional 20 were injured and receiving treatment at various hospitals. The George municipality reported that over 100 emergency responders, including sniffer dogs and heavy lifting equipment, were on the scene, and more assistance was expected to arrive from nearby towns.
With family and friends anxiously waiting for news at the municipal offices nearby, authorities were trying to determine what caused the tragic collapse. A case had been opened by the police, but there was no immediate information available on the reason for the building suddenly giving way. The Gift of the Givers NGO was also on-site, providing support, food, and drink to the rescuers, as well as three sniffer dogs to aid in the search. The situation was still in the rescue stages, and it was anticipated that the operation could continue for days due to the challenges of lifting heavy concrete slabs.
Details on the injuries sustained by the workers who were taken to hospitals were not immediately provided, but reports indicated that many had suffered serious injuries. The two workers who lost their lives were declared dead after being admitted to hospitals. The Executive Mayor of George expressed sympathies to the affected families and individuals, acknowledging the anguish they were experiencing as they awaited updates on their loved ones. The provincial government of Western Cape had deployed resources to assist with the emergency response, with a focus on saving lives being their top priority.
The Western Cape Premier Alan Winde assured that all necessary support had been offered to expedite the emergency response efforts, with a significant emphasis on the rescue operation. The national government was being briefed on the situation as well, with coordination among various agencies and emergency responders to ensure a comprehensive and effective response. The incident underscored the importance of safety protocols on construction sites and the need for thorough investigations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As the rescue operation continued, the hope was to locate and save as many trapped workers as possible to minimize further loss of life.
