A multi-story apartment complex collapsed in a coastal city in South Africa, leaving dozens of construction workers missing. The rescue teams were able to make contact with 11 people buried alive beneath the rubble, offering hope for their rescue. The workers were trapped under mangled wreckage, with one man managing to contact his wife from under the rubble. Six workers have been confirmed dead, with fears that the death toll could rise. There are still 37 people unaccounted for, and 21 workers were rescued from the site with severe injuries.
The search-and-rescue operation is expected to take at least three days, as it is difficult and time-consuming to work with concrete breakers and drillers in such conditions. Rescuers are dealing with workers trapped with limbs pinned under concrete, making it challenging to reach them. The process of removing layers of concrete will begin once the 11 located workers are rescued, and more survivors may be found deeper in the wreckage. More than 100 emergency services personnel are working tirelessly, along with large cranes, heavy lifting equipment, and sniffer dogs to help locate workers.
Emergency responders have been working through the night, and additional personnel have been brought in to assist with the rescue efforts. Local hospitals are preparing to receive more construction workers who might be rescued alive. Family and friends of the workers have gathered at the municipal offices and are receiving support from social workers. Authorities are launching investigations into the cause of the collapse, and a criminal case has been opened by the police. CCTV footage captured the moment when the building collapsed, triggering chaos in the neighborhood.
Alan Winde, the Premier of the Western Cape province, has assured that investigations will take place once the rescue effort is completed. The safety of the building site is the responsibility of the private company’s engineers until its completion, after which the city will inspect and clear it. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called for investigations into the cause of the collapse. The national government is being briefed on the ongoing rescue operation. The priority at this stage is to save lives, and all necessary support has been offered to expedite the emergency response.
The rescue operation continues as emergency personnel work diligently to locate and rescue the trapped construction workers. The community is rallying together to support those affected by this tragic event, and efforts are focused on saving as many lives as possible. The investigation into the cause of the collapse will follow once all individuals have been safely rescued and attended to. The immediate concern is the well-being of those trapped under the debris, with hopes for more survivors to be found as the search-and-rescue efforts progress.
