Videos and photos: 2 dead, 20 rescued in George building collapse

Fifty-three of the 75 construction workers who were confirmed to be on-site are yet to be accounted for.

May 6, 2024
Allison Cooper 3 minutes read
Emergency workers on the scene. Photo: Herman Pieters, Garden Route District Municipality.

Family and friends of the construction workers who were caught in today’s George building collapse have gathered in the main municipal building across the road where Gift of the Givers, local businesses and the community are rallying to assist in whatever way they can.

A multi-storey building under construction in Victoria Street in George collapsed just after 14:00, with a crew of 75 on-site, George Municipality confirmed.

Disaster services personnel including SAPS search-and-rescue teams with sniffer dogs are involved in the rescue operation to retrieve the remaining 53 trapped construction workers.

At the time of publishing, 20 people had been retrieved from the rubble and sent to hospitals or medical centres in George, while two deaths had been confirmed. One person died on the scene and another in hospital.

Lizette da Silva, the editor of the George Herald, who has been on the scene since the tragedy, described it as heart-wrenching. “Family members are devastated and community members are shocked at the magnitude of the tragedy. Loved ones are assisting to identify patients being transported to nearby medical facilities and residents and businesses have donated food, clothing and blankets and assisted emergency workers to get the reflective gear needed.”

She said one rescue worker had arrived in shorts and a T-shirt, despite the icy Cape weather.

Loved ones were in tears as they saw the devastation and piles of rubble, she said.

Emergency workers on-site. Image: Lizette da Silva.

The collapse occurred at 14:09, with the first emergency call coming in at 14:14. At 22:00, she said excavators were clearing the debris, which was being carted away in tipper trucks. Bright lights had been set up.

Emergency personnel on their way from the City of Cape Town and Worcester Disaster Services, as well as the Western Cape Provincial Disaster Services, are expected to be on-site before midnight.

At present, over 100 emergency and other personnel are on the scene.

Image: Lizette da Silva.

Family and friends of the construction workers involved in the incident have been given space to gather in the foyer of the main municipal building and will be assisted by social workers from the departments of Social Services and Correctional Services while they wait for news about their loved ones.

Executive Mayor Leon van Wyk expressed his sincere condolences on behalf of George council and the municipal administration to the family and colleagues of the deceased.

“Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected who continue to wait on word of their loved ones,” said Van Wyk.

Rescue efforts will continue throughout the night.

Another update will be provided by George Municipality at midnight.

In the video below, Mario Ferreira from Gift of the Givers in George shared some information on the aid the organisation has provided. He said Gift of Givers received a call from the local municipality for assistance.

“We are assisting with sniffer dogs, energy drinks for the rescue workers who are in the area at the moment… They have asked for gloves that can help with the removal of the rubble, which we’ve also supplied.

“We are putting soup kitchens in place, which we are bringing supplies to… The hot food will be given to the rescue workers as well as the families who are waiting in the area.”

At the time the video was taken, Ferreira said three of the organisation’s sniffer dogs and their handlers were on their way from Cape Town. Video: Lizette da Silva, George Herald.

In the video below, George councillor Theresa Jeyi recounts what she witnessed this afternoon when the building collapsed, saying it was extremely traumatic. She was in the municipal building, located opposite the collapsed building, when the tragedy unfolded. She said everyone is very heartsore and words can’t describe how people are feeling. No one wants to be involved in something like this, she added. Video: Lizette da Silva, George Herald.

Call for assistance

At 20:20, George Municipality called on the public to assist with drinking water, Lucozade, wine gums, or any food for the rescue workers. If you can assist, contact Gift of the Givers’ Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752), or Herman Pienaar (082 829 6428).

Image: Lizette da Silva.

 

Image: George Municipality.

 

Read original story on www.citizen.co.za

May 6, 2024
Allison Cooper 3 minutes read
 
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