Tragedy struck in George, South Africa, as a building under construction collapsed, claiming the lives of at least four individuals and trapping approximately 50 others, according to authorities on Tuesday.
As per an early morning update from the coastal municipality, 24 individuals have been rescued from the rubble, sadly, four have succumbed to the disaster, leaving 51 still missing.
At the time of the collapse on Monday afternoon, a construction crew of 75 workers was on-site, stated the city in its official communication, mentioning the deployment of three rescue teams in different areas within the collapsed building site.
Mario Ferreira, spokesperson for the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers, revealed that rescue teams had established communication with some of the trapped individuals earlier. The exact cause of the collapse remains unknown.
Images shared by the municipality depicted a flattened construction area with numerous rescue teams working tirelessly. Despite the darkness, high-powered lights illuminated the scene as rescue efforts persisted throughout the night.
Emergency services, comprising about 100 personnel and various agencies, coordinated rescue operations in George, situated 400 kilometers east of Cape Town. Additional support in the form of machinery and sniffer dogs was dispatched from Cape Town.
Concerned relatives of the trapped individuals were directed to gather at the town hall, where they would receive support and assistance, stated officials. Mayor Ald Van Wyk expressed solidarity with the affected families and individuals awaiting news of their loved ones.
George, with its population of approximately 160,000, is a notable town along South Africa’s southern coastline. The town hall, serving as a focal point during the rescue operations, falls under the administration of the Democratic Alliance, the primary opposition party, which also governs the Western Cape province.
