Faith Nyasuguta
In South Africa, a devastating collapse of a five-storey building under construction has sparked a frantic rescue operation, with authorities racing against time to save lives and assess the extent of the tragedy. The incident, which occurred in the city of George, Western Cape province, resulted in the tragic loss of four lives and left approximately 50 individuals trapped beneath the rubble.
Officials in George have reported that 24 people have been successfully rescued from the wreckage and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. The collapse, which took place on Monday afternoon, sent shockwaves through the community and prompted an immediate response from emergency services.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde provided insights into the magnitude of the situation, revealing that a total of 75 construction crew members were present on-site at the time of the collapse.
“Seventy-five members of the construction crew have been confirmed on site at that time of the incident,” Winde stated, indicating the scale of the rescue effort required to locate and extricate those trapped beneath the debris.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation, with authorities working tirelessly to ascertain the factors that led to this tragic event. Amidst the chaos and devastation, rescue teams, equipped with specialized equipment and aided by sniffer dogs, have been deployed to scour the rubble for signs of life.
Despite the valiant efforts of more than 100 rescuers working tirelessly through the night, the situation remains dire.
“Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected who continue to wait for word of their loved ones,” expressed George Mayor Ald Van Wyk, reflecting the community’s collective grief and anguish in the wake of this devastating incident.
As rescue operations intensify, the challenges facing responders are manifold, with the precarious nature of the collapsed structure complicating efforts to safely extricate survivors. Photos depicting the devastation reveal a flattened construction site, strewn with debris and remnants of the building’s roof.
Eyewitness accounts capture the harrowing moment of collapse, with local councillor Theresa Jeyi recounting, “I saw one guy was working and then ‘boom’ and I saw the whole building collapsed… I’m also traumatized. It is very sad,” as reported by Reuters news agency.
Amidst the ongoing rescue efforts, authorities maintain communication with those trapped beneath the rubble, employing heavy lifting equipment to facilitate the operation. As the community grapples with this tragedy, the focus remains on rescuing survivors and providing support to affected families
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