A tragic incident occurred in George, South Africa, when an under-construction apartment building suddenly collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two workers and leaving 53 others trapped under the rubble. The collapse happened just after 2 p.m. on Monday, and a total of 75 workers were present at the site at the time. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collapse, and it remains unclear why the building suddenly gave way.
Following the collapse, 20 workers were rescued and taken to various hospitals for treatment of injuries. More than 100 emergency personnel were mobilized at the site and were set to work through the night, aided by sniffer dogs to locate survivors. Cranes and heavy lifting equipment were being deployed to assist in the rescue efforts, with additional emergency responders being brought in from nearby towns and cities to aid in the operation. Family and friends of the trapped workers gathered at the municipal offices nearby, anxiously waiting for updates.
The rescue operation was ongoing, with Marco Ferreira of the Gift of the Givers NGO providing support and resources to the rescuers. The charity had supplied sniffer dogs and handlers to assist in the search, and Ferreira emphasized that the situation was still in the rescue stages, with the possibility of the efforts extending for days. Details of the injuries sustained by the rescued workers were not immediately provided, but reports indicated that some had suffered serious injuries. The deceased workers were pronounced dead after being admitted to hospitals.
Local authorities, including George Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk and the provincial Western Cape government, expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims and offered support to those affected. The Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, stated that saving lives was the top priority at the moment, and all necessary resources were being directed towards the emergency response. The national government was also briefed on the situation and was monitoring the rescue operation closely.
The cause of the building collapse in George, South Africa, was still under investigation, and police had opened a case to determine the circumstances leading to the tragedy. With the support of the Gift of the Givers and other emergency responders, the rescue operation continued amidst the challenging conditions. The focus remained on locating and rescuing the trapped workers, with efforts being made to expedite the response and save as many lives as possible. As the community awaited news of the trapped workers, the authorities vowed to do everything in their power to support the rescue operation and provide assistance to those affected by the devastating incident.
