Efforts to rescue the remaining people from a collapsed building in George, continue.
Officials led by Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape, say the operation is being treated as a rescue operation and not a recovery as yet. As a result, resources were not scaled down.
Today marks day 4 of rescue operations.
Authorities said at a media briefing at lunchtime today, that the developer divulged more information about possible whereabouts of workers before the incident occurred.
This led to focused intensified searching since last night.
Winde said identifying patients, has caused delays for families. In addition to DNA testing, match and place with photographs, representatives of consulates are expected to descend in George today, to help close the language barrier, with some families.
Gerhard Otto, Disaster Manager of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), said almost half of the people were removed from the building, pushing the number to 40 of 81.
12 of the 40 have died.
Teams are searching for 41.
There are about 638 volunteers who are part of the operation, including fire & rescue teams, emergency medical personnel, forensic pathology services, SA police Services, traffic, law enforcement, Department of social development, Department of correctional services, Department of labour and others.
NGOs on site are Love George and Gift of the Givers, supported by Lions, Rotary, Small Businesses, Neighbourhood Watches, Churches, and members of the public.
Above figures presented at the lunchtime media briefing by Otto, of the GRDM.
Pictures: Building in Victoria Street George was nearly complete when it collapsed, Swaicsa.