Cape Town, South Africa — Reports from the scene of a collapsed apartment complex in a coastal city in South Africa indicate that rescue teams have successfully made contact with 11 individuals who were trapped beneath the debris. One man was able to call his wife from underneath the rubble, allowing emergency responders to locate him, although he remains trapped at this time.
Tragically, six workers have been confirmed dead so far, and there are concerns that this number may increase as the search continues. Currently, 37 individuals remain unaccounted for following the collapse of the five-story building in George, located approximately 250 miles east of Cape Town.
Twenty-one workers have been rescued from the site and transported to various hospitals, with at least 11 of them sustaining serious injuries, according to the George municipality.
Colin Deiner, who leads the provincial Western Cape disaster management services, has stated that the search-and-rescue operation is expected to continue for at least three days.
"During a press conference, Deiner emphasized the importance of giving maximum time to rescue as many people as possible. Working with concrete breakers and drillers in such situations is extremely challenging," stated Deiner.
The rescue operation to save 11 workers, some of whom were trapped with limbs under concrete, was estimated to continue throughout Tuesday. "Our main concern is the entrapment of individuals for extended periods, which requires immediate medical attention. Our medics were deployed promptly," Deiner explained.
Once the located workers are rescued, efforts to remove additional layers of concrete to search for more survivors will commence, according to Deiner.
Over 100 emergency responders and personnel, including sniffer dogs, worked tirelessly through the night. Heavy lifting equipment and bright spotlights were utilized to aid in the rescue mission under challenging conditions.
Deiner highlighted a crucial moment in the operation when all machinery was silenced to listen for signs of life, leading to the discovery of the 11 workers.
Tragedy Strikes as Building Collapses in South Africa
Amidst the chaos and devastation of a collapsed building in South Africa, a glimmer of hope emerged as rescuers reported hearing people trapped under the rubble. The incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, left many construction workers unaccounted for.
Local hospitals quickly mobilized, clearing space in their trauma units in anticipation of more survivors being rescued. Over 50 emergency responders from neighboring towns and cities rushed to the scene to assist in the rescue efforts, including a specialized team trained in handling collapsed structures.
As families and friends anxiously waited for news of their loved ones, the George municipality provided support through social workers at a nearby location. Meanwhile, authorities launched investigations to determine the cause of the collapse, with a criminal case already opened by the police.
Witnesses described a scene of panic and chaos as people emerged from nearby buildings following the collapse, some screaming and shouting in distress. Alan Winde, the Premier of the Western Cape province, promised thorough investigations by both the provincial government and law enforcement.
Information regarding the construction company involved in the incident was not disclosed by authorities. It was mentioned that according to city law, the private company's engineers were accountable for the safety of the building site until its completion. After completion, the site would be handed over to the city for inspection and approval.
The focus at the moment is on the rescue operation, with investigations to follow thereafter. Western Cape Premier, Winde, emphasized that all necessary support has been provided to emergency personnel to facilitate their response. Saving lives is the primary concern at this stage," Winde stated.
Winde informed that the national government was being kept informed about the ongoing rescue efforts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa expressed his sympathies to the families of the victims and urged for a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
