South Africa building collapse: Six killed, dozens still trapped; rescuers establish contact with 11 survivors

At least six people have been killed and around 50 others remained trapped after the collapse of a building in the South African city of George, said local officials on early Tuesday (May 7). Meanwhile, rescuers said they established contact with 11 more survivors in the ruins of the building.

Rescue efforts

Rescuers were seen using cranes, drills and even their bare hands as they tried to reach around 50 people trapped under the rubble after they worked overnight at the site.

As of Tuesday morning, 26 of the 75 construction workers on site had been pulled from the rubble, with six confirmed dead. Around 48 remain unaccounted for, as of Tuesday.

Also Read |Building collapse injures 22 in South Africa, dozens still trapped

“We are in contact with 11 people, four of them are trapped in a basement,” said Colin Deiner, chief director for disaster management, adding that there is a possibility that more could be alive.

He also said that the priority is to get all those still trapped out which could take much of the day. “It’s a very tough operation,” said Deiner.

So many people are trapped it is like “searching for a needle in a haystack. You literally have to break through the concrete and cut through the reinforcing,” he added.

At least 11 of those injured were in “red” conditions, said the local authorities, indicating that they needed “emergency” care for critical injuries.

Additionally, three people were classified as needing “yellow” or “urgent” care, while 12 others were in less critical conditions.

What we know about the collapse

The incident took place in South Africa’s coastal city of George, on Monday (May 6) afternoon around 2:09 pm (local time) when an under-construction five-storey building came crashing down for reasons which are not known as of yet.

CCTV footage seen by Reuters showed a cloud of dust as the building crumbled. Meanwhile, the authorities have not commented on what may have caused the collapse.

Also Read |China hospital attack: At least 2 killed, 21 injured in knife rampage

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa sent condolences to the families of those affected and has called for an investigation.

“Investigations into the cause of the incident must aim to bring closure to the community and prevent a repeat of this disaster,” he said, in a statement.

Liatel Developments, the contracted builder of the structure, said it was trying to assist those on site.

“The investigations to follow obviously will reveal what has transpired and what has happened, but at this point in time it’s just saving as many people as we possibly can,” company director Theuns Kruger told Reuters.

(With inputs from agencies)