Rescue teams in South Africa have made contact with 11 construction workers who were buried alive beneath the rubble of a collapsed multi-story apartment complex in a coastal city. The building, which was under construction, collapsed on Monday in the city of George, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives with fears that the death toll may rise.
Twenty-one workers were rescued from the site, with at least 11 of them sustaining severe injuries. The search-and-rescue operation, led by Colin Deiner of the Western Cape disaster management services, is expected to take at least three days to complete.
Efforts to rescue the trapped workers are ongoing, with specialized teams using concrete breakers and drillers to reach them. The operation is challenging due to the risk of further collapse and the need to ensure the safety of both the workers and the rescuers.
More than 100 emergency personnel, including sniffer dogs, are involved in the rescue operation. Heavy lifting equipment and tall spotlights have been deployed to aid in the efforts to locate and extract the trapped workers.
Authorities have mobilized resources from neighboring towns and cities to support the rescue operation. Family members of the missing workers are being provided with support and assistance by social workers.
An investigation into the cause of the building collapse has been initiated, with a criminal case opened by the police. The focus, however, remains on the ongoing rescue efforts to save as many lives as possible.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
