One week has passed since the George building collapse, and rescue operations are still actively progressing.
UPDATE: Of the 81 workers trapped in the rubble, 61 have been rescued, 32 are deceased, 12 are hospitalised in critical condition. Unaccounted persons total 20.
George building collapse: What are the latest updates?
As of the latest update provided by the Garden Route District Joint Operations Centre (JOC) on Monday, 13 May 2024, rescue efforts have now surpassed 160 hours.
To date, of the estimated 81 individuals present at the site during the incident, 55 have been rescued or recovered.
Tragically, 26 of those recovered have been confirmed deceased, and 13 are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
Efforts continue as 26 individuals remain unaccounted for, intensifying the urgency of the ongoing operations.
What are rescuers doing to remove the rubble?
The rescue teams at the site are using a combination of heavy machinery and manual labour to carefully navigate and remove the debris.
This meticulous process ensures the safety of any potentially trapped survivors and the rescue workers themselves.
The presence of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) teams has been crucial in maintaining safety standards at the site, with no severe incidents involving rescue workers or volunteers reported thus far.
These teams, provided by each participating company, play a vital role in overseeing and enforcing safety protocols during the operation.
Furthermore, the George Municipality and associated authorities are coordinating with Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to expedite the identification of the deceased.
This process is not only critical for investigative purposes but also provides much-needed closure for the families of the victims.
Additional support and upcoming visits
The local community and authorities are still calling for more professional psychosocial support practitioners who speak Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona to assist the survivors and their families during this difficult time.
The response from several practitioners has been positive, but more support is needed.
Today’s schedule also includes visits from significant government officials: Sihle Zikalala, the National Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure, and Alvin Botes, the National Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, who are expected to assess the ongoing efforts and provide additional support
Companies linked to George building collapse
The development of the collapsed building involved several entities, each responsible for different aspects of the project:
- Neo Victoria Developments Pty Ltd. – They owned the land where the building was constructed. This means they provided the space for the building to be built.
- Neotrend Developments Pty Ltd & East Africa Development Pty Ltd. – These companies managed the entire building project. They organised everything from planning what the building would look like to deciding when and how the building process would happen.
- Liatel Developments Pty Ltd. – As the main contractor, this company was in charge of the actual construction work. They directed the day-to-day building activities, hiring workers, and making sure construction went according to plan.
- Mitchell & Associates – They worked as the structural and civil engineers and also as the principal agent. As engineers, they focused on making sure the building was designed to be strong and stable. As the principal agent, they were the main communicator between the construction team and the project owners, overseeing all details of the project’s progress.
- Deon van der Westhuizen Architects cc – This firm was responsible for designing the building. They created the plans that showed how the building should look and function once finished.
- Matla Quantity Surveyors Pty Ltd. – This company handled the financial side of the construction. They measured and kept track of all materials and labour used to build the building to make sure everything stayed within budget.
- 4Front Safety and Security Consultants Pty Ltd. – Their job was to oversee health and safety on the construction site. They made sure that all safety rules were followed to protect workers from accidents.
- Clinkscales Maughan-Brown Pty Ltd. – They were the electrical engineers. Their role was to plan and oversee all the electrical installations in the building, ensuring that the wiring and electrical systems were safe and functional.
- Duane Hodges Consulting Engineer – Specialised in fire engineering, this engineer ensured that the building had proper fire safety measures, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, and safe evacuation routes.
