George building collapse: Death toll rises to 20
In the latest news from the site where a building collapse in George, the death toll is now on 20. Rescuers are still looking for the 32 unaccounted workers.
The death toll in the George building collapse tragedy in the Western Cape now stands at 20.
GUAMBE ESCAPED WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES
According to Debra Sauer, Communications Officer of the George Municipality, rescue workers and other role players have been on site for 151 hours.
HIS RETRIEVAL HAS GIVEN THE RESCUE TEAMS RENEWED HOPE
On Saturday, Gabriel Guambe, aged 32, emerged alive from under the rubble after spending 118 hours trapped.
32 workers are still unaccounted for.
Rescuers have retrieved 49 workers. Rescuers saved 29 workers alive, while 14 workers are still in the hospital.
“Disaster management also advises that there are currently enough volunteers on-site, with names captured on a waiting list. We commend and appreciate the overwhelming volunteer and donation response from the George community.”
Sauer asked the public not to respond to any requests for volunteers on social media unless the GRDM JOC and George Municipality formally issue such notice.
AUTHORITIES HAVE DECLARED THE INCIDENT SITE A NO-FLY ZONE
Meanwhile, the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has declared the incident site at Victoria Street a No-Fly Zone.
“We will strictly enforce this restriction, and we will subject any individuals found violating it to criminal prosecution.”
Meanwhile, it said in their ongoing efforts to support survivors and families, they issue a call for professional psychosocial support practitioners proficient in Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona languages. Practitioners can reach out to Kholiswa Jobela at 078 210 5972 or Apolus Swart at 061 504 4205.
According to a report by Eyewitness News, while anxious family members wait to hear news on relatives still trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in George, the greater community has joined them as they hold vigils for their loved ones.
Rescuers are continuing their work at the site of a toppled apartment complex.
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS HOLD VIGILS FOR THE MISSING LOVED ONES NEAR THE SITE
Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on Thursday visited the families of the workers missing after a building collapsed in George and said the Department of Employment and Labour would launch an investigation into the disaster.
According to a report by Daily Maverick, there have been claims that many of those hired to work at the site were undocumented foreign nationals.
However, at a press briefing on Thursday, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the deputy commissioner of the South African Police Service, said they could not yet confirm this.
“The investigation is under way. We cannot at this stage confirm that there are undocumented people amongst those that were trapped, amongst those that were rescued.” – Mosikili said.
THEY FOUND THE MISSING CONSULTING ENGINEER
Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Bheki Cele has tole the media that the identified contractors working on the building that collapsed in George on Monday have not been forthcoming with information.