In a tragic turn of events, a multi-story apartment building under construction in George, South Africa, collapsed on Monday, leaving at least 22 workers injured and trapping over 40 others beneath the rubble. The injured workers were rushed to the hospital, but the extent of their injuries remains unclear. South African media reports indicate that at least five workers have sustained severe injuries. The collapse occurred shortly after 2 pm in George, a coastal city located approximately 400 kilometers east of Cape Town. The George Municipality spokesperson, Chantel Edwards-Klose, estimated that 48 workers are trapped based on the headcount at the construction site. Initial estimates suggested that around 70 people were working on the building at the time of the collapse, but this figure may change as the situation evolves. Rescue operations are underway, with 80 personnel from the George municipality and an additional 53 from neighboring cities actively involved in the search and rescue efforts. The building that collapsed was situated adjacent to the municipal offices, according to the municipality. The Western Cape provincial government is closely monitoring the situation and has dispatched resources to aid in the emergency response. “All necessary support has been provided to emergency personnel to expedite their efforts,” stated Alan Winde, the Premier of the Western Cape provincial government, in a statement. “At present, our primary focus is on saving lives.” The national government is being kept informed of the developments, Winde added.
Construction Nightmare: Multi-Story Building Collapse Traps Over 40 Workers in South Africa
