South Africa: More casualties recorded in George building collapse

Authorities in South Africa have confirmed more casualties after a building collapsed in George in the Western Cape, with the latest death toll rising to seven by Wednesday.

The incident took place on Monday, just after 2 p.m. local time.

By Wednesday morning, the spokesperson for the George Municipality, Chantel Edwards, said that by 5.30am, a total of 36 construction workers had been retrieved from the rubble.

He explained that “seventy-five construction workers were present on the site at the time of the collapse, which occurred at 2.09 p.m. on Monday, May 6, and the rescue operation is now approaching 39 hours as of 5.33 a.m. on May 8.”

Rescue efforts at the building collapse site continue throughout the night with a multi-disciplinary team of more than 200 emergency services.

While the rescue teams were able to establish communication with the 11 people buried in the wreckage, families gathered, waiting for news of their loved ones, in tears, fearing the worst outcome.

Reports say 27 people have so far been retrieved from the site.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an investigation while expressing sadness over the incident.

Liatel Developments, the contracted builder of the collapsed structure, said it was trying to assist those on site of the five-storey residential building.