- Rescuers are working tirelessly to extract survivors from the collapsed building
- Monday's collapse has resulted in the loss of at least six lives
- Cheers erupt from onlookers as survivors were brought to safety
Rescue efforts are underway in George, South Africa, as responders deploy a combination of cranes, drills, and manual labor to reach individuals trapped beneath the rubble of a multi-story building collapse.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday, has claimed the lives of at least six people, with 48 workers still unaccounted for out of the 75 who were on-site during the construction.
While communication has been established with 11 individuals buried under the debris, families anxiously await updates on their loved ones, their anguish palpable as they fear the worst. Colin Deiner, chief of disaster management for the Western Cape province, emphasized a commitment to treating all individuals as potential survivors during a press briefing.
Despite the grim circumstances, moments of hope emerge as rescue teams extract survivors from the wreckage, eliciting applause and cheers from onlookers. Sniffer dogs aid in the search efforts, facilitating contact with other trapped individuals.
Deiner highlighted a significant operation focused on retrieving four people from a basement, underscoring the challenges faced by rescue teams. To date, 27 individuals have been rescued, though the toll includes at least six fatalities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a thorough investigation into the collapse, seeking to uncover the underlying causes. Liatel Developments, the construction company responsible for the project, expressed its commitment to assisting those affected.
CCTV footage obtained by Reuters captures the harrowing moment of collapse, depicted by a cloud of dust enveloping the area.
A local councilor recounted hearing a deafening “boom” before witnessing the building’s sudden collapse, adding to the urgency of understanding what led to this tragic event.
