A multi-level apartment building under construction in George, South Africa collapsed on the afternoon of May 5, leaving behind a scene of destruction and distress.
Rescue operations began immediately with emergency personnel working tirelessly to locate and rescue dozens of construction workers trapped beneath the rubble.
Thirty-two construction workers have been confirmed dead, and several people are still missing.
Efforts Intensify to Locate Survivors
The collapse happened around 2:00 p.m. local time in the coastal city, located approximately 250 miles east of Cape Town. Aerial drone footage showed a cloud of dust rising as the building structure fell.
“I saw one guy working and then ‘boom’ and I saw the whole building collapsed… I’m also traumatized. It is very sad,” shared Theresa Jeyi, a local councilor who witnessed the incident.
As darkness approached, the rescue efforts heightened due to the potential for survivors to be buried under heavy debris. Over 100 emergency personnel, including sniffer dog teams, were dispatched to the scene, along with cranes and other heavy-duty equipment to aid in the operation.
“The situation at this stage is still very much in the rescue stages,” Marco Ferreira, a local representative of the Gift of the Givers, a South African disaster relief charity assisting rescue workers, said. “We don’t know, it will probably last for a few days. There are some cranes there to help lift some concrete. But it’s not a pretty sight.”
The reason for the building’s collapse is currently under investigation.
Worried Families Await Updates
While the rescue mission continued, relatives of the missing workers gathered at a nearby municipal building, anxiously hoping for updates on their loved ones.
“Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected by the disaster as they continue to wait on word of their loved ones,” stated George Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk.
The Western Cape provincial government echoed those sentiments, confirming its close monitoring of the situation and providing additional resources to support the rescue efforts.
Community Grapples with Shock
The local community was deeply shaken by the collapse. The George Municipality expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured workers a quick recovery. It added that its disaster management teams, ambulances, and police were on the scene, working tirelessly along with emergency responders.
Local media reported that the collapsed building was meant to be a multi-story apartment complex. The exact number of floors is yet to be confirmed. The structure seemed to have four or five levels, according to Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, the spokesperson for the George Municipality.
There were varying reports about the number of workers present at the site during the collapse. Reuters reported 75 workers, while some South African media outlets stated the figure as 50.
Miraculous Rescue of Young Father
A joyful announcement was made to the BBC by a couple whose son was saved from the debris.
Delvin Safers, 29, is one of the several individuals who have been rescued, as the effort to locate others missing continues.
Delvin’s distressing situation gained widespread attention across South Africa through the poignant voice messages he sent to his loved ones, expressing his deep affection for them and voicing his fears about not surviving.
Dion Safers, his father, recounted to the BBC his own panic, which subsided only after receiving a call late on Tuesday from a rescuer who reported Delvin’s discovery.
This breakthrough came when a search dog barked, signaling the rescue team, who managed to drill through concrete and eventually saw his hand.
Dion mentioned, “They provided him with chocolate, water, a mask, and a pair of safety glasses.”
Delvin’s mother, Delmarie, shared with the BBC how they motivated Delvin by sending him a photo of his two-year-old son, Zyar, encouraging him to maintain a hopeful outlook.
“It was effective. It truly made a difference,” she remarked.
In a voice note to his girlfriend Nicole, Delvin, speaking in Afrikaans and fighting back tears, mentioned, “My love, my phone’s battery is nearly gone. It was turned off, and I’ve only switched it on now to see.”
He also expressed his exhaustion and hope for a quick rescue, saying, “I’m utterly drained. I’m exhausted in every way.”
All victims, including Delvin, were employees working on the construction site.
Delvin sustained severe bruising to his face and body, initially unable to walk; however, he has since regained some mobility.
Dion expressed his frustration about the collapse of a new structure, insisting on accountability and legal action for those responsible, “It’s unbelievable. Someone needs to face justice for this,” he asserted during his conversation with the BBC.
Rescue Efforts Continue; Recovery Expected to be Challenging
Emergency personnel are tasked with the demanding job of carefully searching through the wreckage for survivors, all the while racing against time and the grim possibility of discovering more fatalities.
Those lucky enough to be rescued will likely face a tough path to recovery, both physically and mentally. The psychological aftermath of such a distressing event can be immense.
The incident has raised concerns about building safety standards in South Africa, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the cause to prevent similar future incidents.
As this is an ongoing situation, further information is expected to be made available in the coming days.
