The death toll resulting from a building collapse in South Africa has tragically increased to 19, municipal authorities reported on Sunday, leaving 33 individuals still missing nearly a week after the incident occurred.
The collapse transpired in the southern city of George, involving an apartment block under construction where 81 individuals were present at the time.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly since the structure crumbled on Monday afternoon, managing to save 29 individuals alive thus far. In a remarkable turn of events, an unexpected survivor was discovered underneath the rubble on Saturday, after enduring 116 hours trapped beneath the debris.
The provincial authorities have described this survival as nothing short of a “miracle,” highlighting the urgency of ongoing rescue efforts. Police Minister Bheki Cele, visiting the site, emphasized the need for cautious and meticulous rescue and recovery operations.
However, family members, accommodated in a nearby city hall since the collapse, voiced their frustration over the sluggish pace of the identification process. Premier Alan Winde of the Western Cape province acknowledged the challenges inherent in the identification process.
Authorities are employing various methods, including fingerprinting, DNA testing, and photography, to facilitate identification. While speculation regarding the nationalities of the crew persists, the government has announced plans to liaise with the diplomatic missions of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Additionally, they’ve issued a call for a psychosocial support practitioner proficient in Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona languages to aid survivors and their families.
The building project, approved by the city in July, aimed to construct a 42-unit apartment block. Despite these approvals, the exact reasons for the collapse remain unknown, prompting ongoing investigations into the matter.
