Rescue teams in South Africa are continuing their efforts to locate any survivors trapped under the rubble of an apartment building that collapsed during construction in George, South Africa. The incident, which occurred a week ago, has resulted in the confirmed deaths of 24 construction workers, with an additional 28 individuals still missing. This has raised concerns that the final death toll could exceed 50.
Despite the grim situation, there have been glimmers of hope. Over the weekend, one construction worker was found alive after spending six days without food or water under the debris. This discovery has fueled the determination of the more than 600 emergency services and personnel involved in the search and rescue operation.
Of the 81 workers present at the site when the building collapsed, 29 have been rescued alive. Thirteen of the survivors are currently hospitalized, with their conditions undisclosed. The city of George has emphasized that the ongoing operation remains focused on rescue efforts, especially after the miraculous survival of the 32-year-old worker, Gabriel Guambe, who sustained only minor injuries despite being trapped for 118 hours.
Rescue teams are utilizing cranes, heavy machinery, and sniffer dogs to navigate the tons of concrete debris in search of potential voids where survivors might be located. Many of the workers affected are foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, posing challenges in communication and victim identification.
Multiple investigations are underway to determine the cause of the building collapse, with the police treating the site as a crime scene. The construction company responsible for the project is under scrutiny to ascertain if proper safety protocols were followed.
As a mark of respect for the victims, people have begun leaving flowers near the site, and a moment of silence has been scheduled for 2:09 p.m. on Monday, marking the exact time of the building's collapse last week.
Sources: AP Africa news
