Death toll in S/Africa building collapse hits 27

The death toll from a building collapse in South Africa’s coastal city of George has increased to 27, with 25 construction workers still missing, authorities reported on Monday.

The multi-story building under construction collapsed at 2:09 p.m. last Monday in the coastal city of George.

George City is located about 400 kilometres east of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province. The reasons for the collapse are still under investigation.

As rescue and recovery efforts continue into a week after the incident, rescue teams have recovered 55. Eighty-one people were onsite at the time of the collapse.

Out of this figure, they declared 27 deceased and 13 are currently in hospital, the municipal government of George in its latest update at 3.00 p.m. said on Monday.

However, 25 people remain unaccounted for, according to the update.

At the same time, in solemn remembrance of the tragic building collapse, the community and residents of George and South Africa observed a minute of silence at precisely 2.09 p.m. on Monday.

This is to honour the lives lost and to express their collective grief and support for the affected families.

“This act of solidarity is a poignant gesture to honour those who perished and to extend our heartfelt support to the families affected by this tragedy,” said the George municipality.

It noted that the primary focus continues to be on rescue efforts.

Read Related News:

45 die in South Africa bus crash

South African police recover over 300 firearms in 2 weeks

African Diaspora, catalyst for continental development

AFRIMA: AU writes Nigeria, South Africa to bid

NUSA hails S/Africa’s new law against hate crimes, speech

“With this in mind, we are also proactively setting up plans to expedite the identification of the deceased.

“The Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) will carry out the identification exercise.

“We, therefore, endeavour to fast-track the process to help bring closure to families,” the municipality added.

This came as the SAPS have reportedly registered an inquest docket into the tragedy.

Meanwhile, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said authorities need to establish the cause of the tragic collapse.

South African Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, is expected to visit the disaster site on Monday.

A delegation of environment professionals and experts from the construction industry will join Zikalala on the visit.

The purpose of the visit is to ascertain the role of the professionals involved in this project.

It is also to assess if there was compliance with all built environment regulations or if there was no misconduct committed by the professionals leading to the disaster. (Xinhua)