22 hospitalised after George building collapse
Search and rescue efforts in George are expected throughout the night, in the Western Cape following the collapse of a five story building that was under construction.
More than 40 workers are feared trapped in the rubble, while 22 are being treated in hospital. The cause of the accident, that occurred around 2pm on Victoria Street, is not yet known.
George Mayor, Leon van Wyk, says rescue operations will continue throughout the night, in an attempt to rescue the trapped people.
"We have emergency services working on the site now, trying to get access to people and there have been voices that have been identified.” He elaborates that rescue teams are trying to reach those trapped people,
Adding that "they need to be extremely careful about removing the concrete, so that there are no further collapses as a result of that.” According to him – it’s a difficult, and complex situation.
Gift of the Givers teams are also on-site trying to help with rescue efforts and relief operations, while the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said they are sending personnel support as well as emergency response support.
“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.”
Winde has urged the public to allow emergency services officials the space to carry out their duties and not put their own lives at risk by traveling to the site.
Meanwhile, the municipal spokesperson, Chantel Edwards-Klose, says multiple patients are involved.
She asked members of the public, who want to donate water, wine gums and any other food items to rescue workers on the site, to deliver it at Ivy Street, at 79 Victoria Street at Delplan Consulting.
ALSO READ:
