As of Tuesday, 14 May 2024, rescue operations continue at the site of the George building collapse, entering the second week since the disaster occurred.
UPDATE: Of the 81 workers trapped in the rubble, 62 have been rescued, 33 are deceased, 12 are hospitalised in critical condition. Unaccounted persons total 19.
George building collapse: What are the latest updates?
As the rescue operations surpass 184 hours, the focus remains intense at the George building collapse site.
Current statistics reveal that out of the 81 individuals initially on-site, 61 have been rescued or recovered.
Tragically, 32 have been confirmed deceased, while 12 remain hospitalised.
Efforts to identify the deceased are accelerating, with six individuals positively identified so far through methods such as DNA testing and fingerprinting.
The operation faces challenges with the identification of family members, prompting an urgent call for relatives to provide detailed information to aid the documentation and verification process.
“We urgently request families who have lost contact with their loved ones to come to the George Civic Centre on York Street. This will enable the Department of Social Development to collect detailed and precise information, ensuring that all records are accurately documented,” the George Municipality wrote in a statement.
What are rescuers doing to remove the rubble?
Rescue teams continue to work meticulously to navigate and remove the rubble at the collapse site.
The use of heavy machinery and manual labour is balanced to ensure the safety of the remaining structures and any potentially trapped survivors.
The introduction of demolition equipment has expedited the removal of large debris, allowing for a more thorough search in previously inaccessible areas.
The recovery process is supported by forensic teams and pathologists who are on-site to assist with the immediate identification of recovered bodies, ensuring a respectful and efficient process.
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.
