Help: Rescue workers at the collapsed building on Victoria Street in George remain silent as they listen to the voices of those trapped under the rubble. (Herman Peters, Garden Route District Municipality)
SNine people were confirmed dead after a five-storey building under construction collapsed in George, along the Garden Route.
The City of George confirmed on Tuesday that 27 people had been removed from the rubble at 75 Victoria Street and that 48 people were missing after the high-rise building collapsed on Monday.
“By international standards, the rescue operation is three days long. We are still trying to determine where the people are trapped, but we have contacted 11 people. [under the rubble] Begin the layering process [to find them]” Western Cape Disaster Services Director Colin Deiner said.
Information about the construction companies has not been made public, but most of the people trapped under the rubble are construction workers.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said an investigation into the cause of the collapse was underway, while George Mayor Leon van Wyk said the scene had been declared a crime scene and that the Department of Labor and police had begun an investigation at the scene. He said he is doing so.
Winde added that an independent engineer was sent to investigate on behalf of the state.
According to the disaster response team, the man who was trapped under the rubble called for help from his wife and then contacted emergency personnel to evacuate.
Disaster relief organization Gift of the Givers announced that it has dispatched paramedics and relief staff to assist with recovery efforts.
“We are on the ground and providing all kinds of support in any way we can. We are currently providing support to the families of the victims and have also set up a mobile soup kitchen,” the organization said. Mario Ferreira said.
Winde said emergency workers were provided with the necessary support to speed up their response to the disaster. “At this time authorities are focused on saving lives. This is our top priority at this stage.”
