LATEST | Rescue operations continue as more bodies found in George building collapse

George

George — Rescue workers have been tireless in their efforts to retrieve more people currently stuck under the rubble of the building that collapsed in George on Monday afternoon.

A five-storey building that was under construction collapsed on Monday afternoon with 75 construction workers trapped inside when the building came down. George Municipality spokesperson, Chantel Edwards, confirmed that 39 people still remain unfound, while of the 36 bodies that were recovered, seven died, six sustained life-threatening injuries, seven sustained minor injuries, and 16 remain in critical condition, SABC News reported.

“Rescue operations continue at the building collapse site on Victoria Street today with a multi-disciplinary rescue team of more than 200 emergency services available,” says Edwards.

According to IOL, specialised teams are being brought in to help clear the rubble and continuing search operations.

“A specialised asbestos removal company is currently tasked with deconstructing the parking structure located at the back of the site. This is to aid access for rescue operations which continue at the building collapse site on Victoria Street,” Edwards said.

EWN reported that provincial disaster chief Colin Deiner said the rescue effort had stepped up to a critical stage, with workers still stuck under rubble mounds.

“The biggest injury risk is ‘crush syndrome’. So, you might rescue him alive but they die a few hours later. We’ve got our medics on the scene. The moment we recover a body, they immediately start putting fluids in to keep that person alive.” he said.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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