South Africa: Construction Workers Trapped Under Collapsed Building

At least four people are dead after a building under construction collapsed in George, Western Cape, on Monday afternoon, 6 May.

Up to 75 people were believed to have been on-site at the time the building collapsed. So far, 22 people have been pulled from the debris and taken to receive medical attention. More than half of the construction workers who have been rescued are being treated for serious injuries.

“I saw one guy was working and then ‘boom’ and I saw the whole building collapsed [sic]… I’m also traumatised. It is very sad,” Theresa Jeyi, a local councillor, told an international news outlet.

“All the necessary support has been offered to emergency personnel to expedite their response. At the moment, officials are focused on saving lives. This is our top priority at this stage,” Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said to a local publication.

Multiple emergency personnel agencies – including police search-and-rescue teams with sniffer dogs – have come forward to assist where they can. Gift of the Givers, a local humanitarian organisation, has also joined the rescue efforts.

As of now, it’s unclear why the five-story building collapsed as quickly and unexpectedly as it did.

Image Credit: Source