Watch: What unfolded on day 4 of the George building disaster

As of 15:00 today, the rescue operation at the George Neo Victoria multi-storey apartment block had been ongoing for 73 hours.

Earlier today, the public was asked to not visit the site due to the constant movement of heavy vehicles that are removing the rubble.

George Herald reported that 3 000 cubic tons of concrete must be removed from the site.

At the time of publishing, 37 people had been retrieved from the rubble. Eight people are deceased, 16 are in critical condition, six have life-threatening injuries, and seven have minor injuries.

Forty-four of the 81 workers on-site at the time of the collapse are still unaccounted for. 

Watch: Andrew Sichali’s relatives from Malawi remain trapped beneath the rubble on Victoria Street. He expresses the agony of awaiting updates on the situation. Video by Kristy Kolberg.

Watch: Church groups have gathered in front of the municipality to pray for the families of the deceased, injured, and those who are still trapped underneath the rubble. Video by Kristy Kolberg.

Labour minister visits site

National Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi arrived in George today amid allegations that some of the construction workers are in the country illegally and were working on-site without the correct paperwork or work permits. Read George Herald’s full article.

The minister briefed the media this afternoon.

Watch the briefing here:

Volunteers: A beacon of unity

As reported by George Herald this afternoon, volunteers from across George gathered in the blink of an eye to assist at the disaster site.

One of the first volunteer teams to respond was the George Alert Team (Gat), which arrived on the scene soon after the building collapsed.

“Within 15 minutes of the catastrophic event, our team was on site. The scenes of destruction and the palpable sense of hopelessness are still difficult to comprehend.

“As someone who has been involved in disaster preparedness and response through Lions Clubs International, I have witnessed first-hand the immense challenges and heartache that accompany such tragedies,” says Gat’s Pieter Nel.

The team’s resolve was tested by the Knysna and George fires, but nothing could have prepared them for the magnitude of the current situation.

“Being on site, amidst the chaos and the tireless efforts of rescue teams and volunteers, is both heart-warming and gut-wrenching.

“However, the spirit of the George community rallying together to support the rescue efforts is a testament to the strength of humanity in the face of adversity.

“Yet, the painstaking and meticulous nature of the recovery process is a stark reminder of the fragility of life.”

Nel says the most haunting parts are those moments of eerie silence after the sound of a whistle signalling for absolute quiet – a reminder that beneath the rubble lie precious lives, clinging to hope in the darkness, and the anguish of the families gathered at the civic centre.

“Every glance, every whispered prayer, is a plea for good news – for a miracle that may never come.”

Still, amid the despair, there remains a flicker of hope.

“We cling to the belief that with each passing moment, there is a chance that another life will be saved, another family reunited. And so, we press on, fuelled by the unwavering determination of those on the front lines and the support of those standing behind them.

“We will continue to work tirelessly until every last person is brought home,” he said.

To assist the Gat, contact Nel via WhatsApp on 078 874 6927.

Gift of the Givers speaks to George Herald

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, the founder of international humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers Foundation, visited the disaster site this morning.

Watch his interview with Alida de Beer:

Also in the news today

The team responsible for developing the Neo Victoria apartment block in George spoke out about the incident, providing more information about the entities responsible for the site. Read the full story here.

Fortunately, a man trapped under the debris for almost 30 hours had his cellphone with him. He was able to communicate with his father and rescue workers at all times. Read the full Afrikaans story here.

Donations needed

George Municipality provided the following list as a guideline for donations for emergency teams:

• Drinking water
• Energy drinks
• Wine gums
• Food

The delivery point is manned by Gift of the Givers and Herman Pienaar of LoveGeorge and will remain operational throughout the rescue period. Contact Gift of the Givers’ Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752) or Pienaar (082 829 6428).

Safety equipment needed

The following safety equipment is also needed:

• Helmets
• Safety goggles
• Clipboards
• Headlamps
• Construction gloves

These can be delivered to the Garden Route District Municipality Fire Station in Pearl Road, Tamsui Industria.

Keep your eye on George Herald’s website and Facebook page for regular updates