A five-storey building still under construction collapsed in the afternoon of Monday, May 6 at George, Western Cape province of South Africa.
Rescue operations have since begun.
At least five individuals have been pulled out dead from the debris. Two of the 24 individuals rescued succumbed to their injuries, and three additional fatalities were confirmed later. The rest are still receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
Around 75 workers were present at the construction site during the collapse, according to county official, meaning about 50 people are still unaccounted for.
The Mayor of George countr, Ald Van Wyk expressed condolences, saying, “Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected who continue to wait for word of their loved ones.”
Over 100 rescuers, accompanied by search dogs, tirelessly worked through the night to locate and extricate those trapped beneath the rubble. Heavy lifting equipment were deployed to aid in the operation.
Officials have managed to make contact with some of those trapped inside.
A local councillor Theresa Jeyi, who spoke to the media said she witnessed the collapse herself. “I saw one guy was working and then ‘boom’ and I saw the whole building collapsed… I’m also traumatised. It is very sad.“
The cause of the building collapse is not yet known.
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