George tragedy update: 44 workers still unaccounted for

A total of 44 workers are still unaccounted for in the George building collapse tragedy.

THERE WERE MORE THAN 80 WORKERS ON THE SITE AT THE TIME OF THE COLLAPSE

It was also revealed on Thursday that there were 81 workers on the site and not 75 as initially reported. 

Debra Sauer, Communications Officer of the George Municipality, said that members of the public are requested to avoid the surroundings of the incident site at Victoria Street. 

“This is due to the constant movement of heavy vehicles assisting with the removal of building rubble. In the ongoing rescue response, 3000 cubic tonnes of concrete must be removed from the site.” 

THE PUBLIC IS URGED TO AVOID THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE INCIDENT

She said 37 workers had been retrieved by midday on Thursday. Eight workers have died, while 16 others sustained critical injuries. 

Six more workers have sustained life-threatening injuries, and seven workers sustained minor injuries. 

Sauer added that the rescue operation has reached 70 hours, as of 12:00 on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, the National Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi arrived in George earlier on Thursday amid many allegations being made about the labor force at the doomed construction site in Victoria Street in George.

THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR WILL ALSO VISIT THE SITE

According to a report by the George Herald, he will also visit the collapsed building and is likely to interact and get an update from rescuers and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour.

The department’s OHS inspectors were dispatched to the site on Monday shortly after the incident occurred.

Nxesi’s visit comes as it was announced this morning that there were, in fact, 81 workers on site and not 75 as reported earlier.

At this stage, it is clear that many of the construction workers are immigrants, and it is alleged that some of these workers were in the country illegally and working on-site without the correct paperwork or work permits.

DO YOU WANT TO HELP? HERE IS HOW YOU CAN ASSIST

The public should take note that the delivery point for donations has been moved from 79 Victoria Street to the AGS Church Soteria at 27 Victoria Street.

George Municipality provided the following list as a guideline for sustenance donations for the emergency teams as the rescue effort at the site of the collapsed building in Victoria Street continues:

• drinking water,
• energy drinks,
• wine gums, and
• food.

The delivery point is being manned by Gift of the Givers and Herman Pienaar of LoveGeorge and will remain operational throughout the rescue period.

Please contact Gift of the Givers: Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752) and Herman Pienaar (082 829 6428) in this regard.

They are also in need of the following safety equipment:

• helmets,
• safety goggles,
• clipboards,
• headlamps, and
• construction gloves.

These must be delivered to GRDM Fire Station, Pearl Road, Tamsui Industria.

CAN YOU MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION?

The municipality have also had requests from the public about financial donations.

Please use the banking details below:

• George Municipality: Relief and Charitable Fund
• ABSA BANK Cheque Acc: 9149554208
• Branch Code: 632005

Your contributions and support during this challenging time are greatly appreciated.