In South Africa, ongoing efforts persist to locate about 50 individuals who went missing after a five-story apartment building collapsed on Monday.
The tragic incident, occurring in the southern coastal city of George, has claimed the lives of at least six people so far. However, rescuers have heard from 11 additional survivors amidst the ruins of the under-construction building, including four individuals trapped in the basement. Investigations into the cause of the collapse are currently underway.
At the site on Tuesday, emergency workers meticulously combed through the debris, periodically pausing in hopes of discovering survivors. Despite some false alarms, the arduous process of extracting survivors from the wreckage continues.
Colin Deiner, chief director for disaster management, expressed hope that there might still be survivors, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to lift different floors off each other.
The entire rescue operation is anticipated to span between four to five days. Video footage captured nearby depicts a massive cloud of dust enveloping the area as the building crumbled.
President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and urged for a thorough investigation to bring closure to the community and prevent similar disasters in the future. Meanwhile, the city’s mayor, Ald Van Wyk, extended sympathies to the affected families.
Overnight, over 100 rescuers, aided by sniffer dogs, tirelessly worked to locate those trapped beneath the rubble. Heavy lifting equipment has been mobilized to bolster the rescue efforts.
Images of the area depict a flattened construction site, with remnants of the building’s roof strewn across the debris. Local councillor Theresa Jeyi recounted witnessing the collapse, expressing shock and sadness at the devastating event.
