The George Municipality in the Garden Route, South Africa, confirmed this morning that as of 9am this morning, 7 May, a total of five (5) people had died, as a result of a building that collapsed in Victoria Street, in the town of George yesterday.
1 additional person was announced dead during a media briefing, led by Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde and Garden Route District’s senior officials.
Twenty-six (26) people, who were caught in the rubble since the collapse, were found. But another 48 people are unaccounted for. Another was recovered alive this morning.
About 75 construction workers were present on site at the time of the collapse, in a multi-story construction building ( 75 Victoria Street).
The building is privately owned and is not a Government building.
Authorities have withheld names of the contractor of the site and the cause of the collapse, as they are a subject of an investigation.
The collapse happened around 14:09, on Monday 6 May 2024.
Three teams of rescue personnel are currently working on three different areas within the site of the collapsed building.
Winde said independent engineers are on site to assess the scene.
The public is advised not to visit the site because it’s a collapsed building and therefore dangerous.
Rescue Teams have come from the South African Police Services (SAPS), the City of Cape Town, and other areas in the Western Cape.
There is also ongoing communication with people still caught in the rubble. The search and rescue operation continues.
Note: Should any member of the public wish to provide safety goggles, Headlamps, drinking water, energy drinks, wine gums, food for the emergency services while they are on site – kindly deliver to the tent site via Ivy Street at 79 Victoria St, Delplan Consulting which is being manned by Gift of the Givers and Herman Pienaar of LoveGeorge which will remain operational throughout the night.
For enquiries to give please contact: Gift of the Givers: Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752) and Herman Pienaar (082 829 6428)
Safety equipment including safety goggles, headlamps and construction gloves are needed. If anyone can assist please deliver to GRDM Fire Station, Pearl Road, Tamsui Industria.
Photograph Credit: Herman Pieters, GRDM Communications Manager