Roof Collapses at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital in South Africa
A section of the roof of the fifth floor at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, collapsed on Thursday. (Updated: 23h00) In an update at 16h30, Nane Radebe, Joburg’s Emergency Medical Services spokesperson, tweeted that the Urban Search and Rescue Team were still trying to locate two people trapped in the rubble. Jack Bloom, Gauteng Shadow […]
A section of the roof of the fifth floor at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, collapsed on Thursday. (Updated: 23h00)
In an update at 16h30, Nane Radebe, Joburg’s Emergency Medical Services spokesperson, tweeted that the Urban Search and Rescue Team were still trying to locate two people trapped in the rubble.
Jack Bloom, Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, reported earlier that he had seen the collapsed roof section and hoped “desperately that there are no deaths”. By late Thursday evening, ER24 Emergency Medical Services tweeted that final clearance of the rubble was underway, and that fortunately no fatalities had been reported.
Some of those pulled from the rubble on Thursday afternoon had minor injuries. Deputy Health Minister Dr Gwendoline Ramokgopa reported five injuries by Thursday late afternoon – including two contractors, two patients and one staff member who were trapped by the structural collapse.
An ER24 spokesperson, speaking to eNCA, said several floors of the hospital were evacuated, and other floors were in darkness as power had been cut off for safety reasons.
The cause of the collapse had not yet been ascertained by late afternoonq2. Various authorities were on the scene conducting investigations. Previous media reports show that the fifth floor was identified back in 2012, and again in 2015, as requiring repair.
Bloom said: “Staff have told me that stones were moved onto the section of the roof which collapsed onto the hospital street level.
“Staff at the Hospital have warned in the past of the leaking Hospital roofs and other structural problems in the building.
“The entire hospital must be urgently assessed to ensure it is safe.”
There was apparently construction taking place.
The Department of Health confirmed the incident at the hospital, and said in a statement that: “The collapse took place in the passage near maternity department on the hospital street.”
By nightfall, the Department of Health said five people had been arrested and the contract with the construction company had been terminated with immediate effect.
Bloom tweeted that he had been informed that “parts of the ceiling collapsed last week at the dental clinic at #CharlotteMaxeke” and said the building should be assessed urgently.
Update Friday 3 March 2017:
[WATCH] Gauteng Health MEC, Gwen Ramakgopa, visits #CharlotteMaxeke Hospital following a roof collapse. Details >> https://t.co/ZY8wKnASE8 pic.twitter.com/OSgYkWvOq8
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 3, 2017
Leadership! During the storm, our leaders rushed to lead from the front during the #CharlotteMaxeke roof collapse. Well done team. #fb pic.twitter.com/uFub11KEeO
— Phathizwe (@Phathizwe) March 3, 2017
Thursday 2 March:
#CharlotteMaxeke Search and rescue are still working at the scene.
MV pic.twitter.com/70DO0txF22— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/ER24EMS/status/837354104066297856
#CharlotteMaxeke ER24's Russel Meiring giving an update, he says 3 people are believed to be trapped under the rubble @KayaNews pic.twitter.com/0IpTiNIf9b
— Keneiloe Huma (@huma_keneiloe) March 2, 2017
URSA team trying to locate two people trapped in rubble @CityofJoburgEMS @CityofJoburgZA pic.twitter.com/JCbVlQ3zQa
— Nana Radebe-Kgiba (@radebe_nana) March 2, 2017
The devastation at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital – I warned years ago that the hospital was structurally unsound. pic.twitter.com/6z7uTGLExA
— Jack Bloom (@JackBloomDA) March 2, 2017
Scenes at the entrance at #CharlotteMaxeke hospital pic.twitter.com/BEzkZxBpFD
— malungelo booi (@malungelob) March 2, 2017
[VIDEO] #CharlotteMaxeke Hospital's roof collapses (courtesy: @Bhekisisa_MG) More on the collapse here >> https://t.co/Yy8D4whgXe pic.twitter.com/ZLFjpplYmH
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/wervermaak/status/837291954954199041
#CharlotteMaxeke roof collapsed near the main entrance. pic.twitter.com/UhvYjtKZhU
— Thabisile⁷ (@mjindithabisile) March 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/ER24EMS/status/837313448463720448
@CityofJoburgEMS Urban Search and Rescue team #CharlotteMaxeke hospital pic.twitter.com/10kdFXEDkn
— Nana Radebe-Kgiba (@radebe_nana) March 2, 2017
Mamabolo says he will inform Thanzanani Trading Enterprises tonight that it must halt its renovations and leave immediately #CharlotteMaxeke
— POWER987News (@POWER987News) March 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/KingArthur_2015/status/837293478627401728
Who is to blame for #CharlotteMaxeke roof collapse? #roofcollapse pic.twitter.com/VU4D8qIA6F
— Avi Toonz (@Avi_Ramjan) March 2, 2017
Mamabolo says if the contractor is at fault, they will have to be held accountable. #CharlotteMaxeke pic.twitter.com/LjonkYw8wO
— Bhekisisa (@Bhekisisa_MG) March 2, 2017
Ramakgopa says #CharlotteMaxeke will remain operational and an alternative entrance will be used. pic.twitter.com/GTVc805y0W
— Bhekisisa (@Bhekisisa_MG) March 2, 2017
#CharlotteMaxeke Five people have been arrested. No fatalities. The contract of the construction company will be terminated immediately.
— CapeTalk on 567AM (@CapeTalk) March 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/ER24EMS/status/837396379643301894