Rescuers in South Africa are engaged in a desperate search for survivors after a five-story apartment block under construction collapsed on Monday, killing five individuals and leaving around 50 others trapped.
In the city of George, Western Cape province, where the incident occurred, officials have reported that 26 people have been rescued and hospitalized so far, but there were numerous workers present at the site during the collapse, adding to the complexity of the situation.
The cause of this devastating collapse is currently under investigation, with video footage capturing the moment the building fell, engulfed in a massive cloud of dust.
At the scene on Tuesday morning, emergency workers diligently worked to clear the debris by hand, hoping to find survivors.
The process has been painstakingly slow, marked by moments of hope followed by disappointment as some alerts turned out to be false alarms.
Unfortunately, the majority of the workers remain unaccounted for, and the rescue efforts have been challenging.
Tragically, two of those rescued succumbed to their injuries, and three additional deaths were later reported by medics.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to bring closure and prevent such disasters in the future.
The city’s mayor, Ald Van Wyk, echoed these sentiments, expressing sympathy for the affected families and the ongoing wait for news about their loved ones.
The rescue operation, involving over 100 responders and sniffer dogs, continued throughout the night, aided by heavy lifting equipment to access the trapped individuals.
Contact has been established with some of those under the rubble, but the situation remains precarious.
Photographs of the site reveal a stark scene of devastation, with the once-standing construction reduced to a flattened heap of rubble.
Local councillor Theresa Jeyi captured the shock and sorrow of the community, describing the traumatic event and its impact on those involved.
Source-BBC
