Rescue operations at the collapsed building site at 75 Victoria Street in George continue, with another body recovered early this morning, marking a tragic increase in the death toll.
UPDATE: Of the 81 workers trapped in the rubble, 49 have been rescued, 20 are deceased, 14 are hospitalised in critical condition. Unaccounted persons total 32.
George building collapse: What are the latest updates?
As of Sunday, 12 May 2024, at 06:00, rescue efforts have entered their 135th hour following the catastrophic collapse that occurred six days ago.
The latest recovery efforts early this morning brought the total number of deceased to 15. To date, 44 individuals have been rescued or recovered from the rubble, with 14 currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals.
Despite these efforts, 37 individuals remain unaccounted for.
The situation remains critical, with ongoing efforts by the Garden Route District Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to verify and update the casualty figures in collaboration with local hospitals and forensic teams.
What are rescuers doing to remove the rubble?
Rescue teams continue to work tirelessly, employing heavy machinery and manual techniques to carefully navigate and remove the debris. The focus remains on finding survivors and recovering those lost in the collapse.
The operations are being conducted with the utmost sensitivity and precision to ensure the safety of the trapped individuals and the rescue personnel involved.
In anticipation of today’s visit by Police Minister Bheki Cele, the site is under strict management to facilitate an official briefing and ensure that rescue operations continue as smoothly as possible.
In response to the emotional toll this tragedy has taken on survivors and families of the victims, there is an urgent call for psychosocial support practitioners who are proficient in Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona languages.
This initiative aims to provide necessary emotional and psychological support to those affected by the collapse.
Professionals interested in offering their services are encouraged to reach out to the designated contacts provided by the George Municipality.
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.