Nine die in Meyersdal building collapse

MEYERSDAL – Nine people died on a construction site. A structure at one of the houses in the Meyersdal Eco Estate collapsed on August 18 at approximately 10:30.

The death toll has risen to nine, while eight people were treated on the scene and transported to a nearby private hospital for further medical care. Five of the eight were in stable condition, one only had minor injuries and two were in critical condition.

At 16:30 the SAPS dog units were still on site searching for more possible survivors. The survivors received counselling on the scene.

As reports by paramedics and emergency services came in throughout the day the death toll rose. Initially only two workers were confirmed dead. There was also a space of time when different reports conflicted in relation to the death toll.

“Upon our arrival on the scene we found multiple people who were injured,” a press release from ER24 stated.

The house of one of the Estate’s residents was undergoing alterations when a structure collapsed.

According to reports there were 27 construction workers on the site. Emergency services extricated and treated nine patients with injuries that ranged from minor to critical.

Paramedics and emergency services worked to free the trapped bodies from the rubble. Reports of the accident were received at 11:20 and by 16:00 the afternoon paramedics and emergency services were still working on the scene.

There was several construction workers trapped under the rubble, and paramedics found at least one body under the rubble.

The exact cause of the collapse was still unclear at the time of print.

The construction was done by two independent construction companies.

“We are liaising with emergency services and providing our full cooperation to them and the contractor. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and their families,” Meyersdal Eco Estate management said to the press.

Also read the following related articles

Meyersdal death toll rises to nine

Five dead after Meyersdal building collapsed

Other leading articles on the website

Four men killed in Vaal shooting

Natalspruit Hospital relocates to Vosloorus