In George, the aftermath of the building collapse on Victoria Street continues to evolve, with rescue teams working around the clock as the operation reaches 88 hours since the incident.
UPDATE: Of the 81 workers trapped in the rubble, 40 have been rescued, 12 are deceased, 33 are hospitalised with 13 are in critical condition. Unaccounted persons total 41.
George building collapse: What are the latest updates?
As of Friday, 10 May 2024, the Garden Route District Joint Operations Centre (GRDM Joc) has provided an updated status on the tragic building collapse.
Unfortunately, the toll has risen, with another critically injured patient, previously hospitalised, now declared deceased.
This brings the total number of fatalities to nine. Out of the estimated 81 people who were on-site at the time of the collapse, 37 have been retrieved, but 44 remain unaccounted for.
The rescued individuals include 15 in critical condition, six with life-threatening injuries, and seven who sustained minor injuries.
What are rescuers doing to remove the rubble?
Last night, significant reinforcements in terms of heavy machinery were brought to the site to aid in the removal of rubble and accelerate the search for those still missing.
The newly arrived equipment includes two five-ton excavators, three 20-ton excavators equipped with hammers and buckets, and a three-cube front-end loader.
These machines are being managed by a team of local excavation contractors and the District Roads Engineer.
Despite the power of these machines, the use of such heavy equipment is conducted with great care to avoid further injury to any survivors still trapped beneath the rubble.
“Despite the introduction of large machinery, rescue techniques will still be applied meticulously and sensitively by the highly skilled and experienced disaster management team,” the George Municipality noted in a statement.
Who is the contractor behind the George building collapse?
The collapsed building was a project under the management of Liatel Developments, a company owned by Theuns Kruger, a practising attorney with extensive experience in commercial and construction law.
Established in 2009, Liatel Developments was involved in several property and commercial development projects, including the acquisition of key properties aimed at expanding its market presence.
The company’s role in the incident is under scrutiny as investigations continue to pinpoint the cause of the collapse.
Words from Premier Alan Winde
Premier Alan Winde expressed profound appreciation for the first responders and the community’s collective effort in the ongoing rescue operations.
“You all make me as your Premier of this extraordinary province humble and grateful for everything you have done and are still doing,” he remarked during his visit to the site.
Premier Winde emphasised the solidarity and commitment of the local community and volunteers who have rallied to support the emergency teams and the families affected by this tragedy.