George building disaster: 3 more bodies retrieved

Three more bodies were recovered from the rubble at the George Neo Victoria multi-storey apartment block today, bringing the death toll to 12.

At the time of publishing, of the 81 people who were on-site when the building collapsed, 40 have been removed from the rubble and 41 are still unaccounted for.

Three people are being treated at George Provincial Hospital and 10 at Mediclinic.

Mediclinic has admitted 18 patients since Monday. Of these, five have been discharged and three passed away. Of the remaining 10, three are in the ICU. Of the three, one person was due to be airlifted to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town today.

At a media briefing this afternoon, Dr Wayne Smith, the Western Cape head of disaster medicine, said both hospitals activated incident plans immediately after notification of the implosion.

“The majority of patients started going to George Provincial Hospital, where a lot of them were stabilised and moved across to Mediclinic for some of the definitive specialist interventions that were required.

“So at the moment, three patients are still in the George Hospital. It’s a very fluid system, so patients are moving as and when specialist services are required. It is not about private or public sector. The hospitals as a whole responded.”

He said communication regarding the patients’ conditions is constant. There are a few complicated cases due to crush injuries, which usually occur in an incident such as this.

Western Cape Disaster Management chief Colin Deiner said they spoke to the developer earlier today and received information about where they could locate the missing people. It helped them find and retrieve the three bodies. The information they received indicated that there are still people trapped on the first, second and third floors.

Identification of bodies

Frustration and agony among families waiting for news about their loved ones trapped in the rubble were aired during the briefing.

Premier Alan Winde explained that the identification of bodies is a difficult process that involves fingerprinting, DNA testing, and looking at photographs to match and place, among others.

Smith said DNA identification will become increasingly important to bring the families closure.

Responding to a question about fears that delays in DNA testing could occur because of an existing testing backlog, Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile said the forensic lab is on standby for testing of disaster victims and the only delay that might occur would be where a match with family members is needed and they cannot be found.

Winde said family members’ frustration around their inability to communicate properly is also being addressed. Interpreters from consulates were expected to arrive today. If required, resources from the premier’s office will be used to find interpreters.

Ministers visit hospitals

Dr Joe Phaahla, National Health Minister; and Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo were in George today to visit the site, both hospitals, and the mortuary where temporary additional space has been created.

Phaahla said the incident is regarded as a national disaster and pledged solidarity with the province. He expressed gratitude to all who have been involved.

“We are grateful that this hospital (Mediclinic George) rose to the occasion when they were approached for help. Routine operations were cancelled and management, staff and private doctors became involved.”

The ministers also met patients at Mediclinic who were in general wards.

One patient was being discharged. He was on the third floor, standing outside on scaffolding, when it came down. He was dug out of the rubble within an hour.

Disaster site a no-fly zone

Airports Company South Africa has declared the disaster site a no-fly zone, following reports of a private drone flying over the area yesterday.

This restriction will be strictly enforced, and anyone violating it will be subject to criminal prosecution.

Drone footage photographs below by George Municipality:

Accordion man plays for victims’ families

Lukas du Preez, who played the accordion for his wife outside the Covid-19 ward at Life Bayview Hospital on Mossel Bay in 2021, played for victims’ families this morning.

Heavy machinery in operation

Western Cape head of disaster management Colin Deiner explains how the heavy machinery works. Video by Kristy Kolberg, George Herald.

Other news published today

Ice Projects Pty Ltd, a company that initially appeared on websites and other promotional material for the Neo Victoria apartment block, has seemingly vanished. Read the full story here.