By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The George Municipality in the Western Cape has confirmed the death toll for the building collapse has risen to eight.
The rescue efforts were ongoing overnight, and the emergency response team implemented more substantive concrete breakers and additional trucks to remove building rubble from the site to free the remaining entrapped patients.
The municipality’s spokesperson, Chantel Edwards said new information state there was an increase in the number of construction workers on site.
It was previously reported that 75 workers were on site at the time of the incident.
“The Garden Route District Joint Operational Centre established for the Victoria Street Building Site collapse has updated the figure for those present on site at the time of the incident on Monday, May 6, “Edwards said.
“This follows intensive discussions and scrutinization of the safety records with the responsible contractors. The contractor has now confirmed that the number of workers on site at the time of collapse was 81.”
In a report, the municipality confirmed 37 workers have been retrieved from the rubble, a total of eight people have died, 16 people are in critical condition, six people face life-threatening conditions and seven people sustained minor injuries.
A total of 44 workers are still unaccounted for.
Rescue efforts have continued overnight. The emergency response team is implementing more substantive concrete breakers and additional trucks to remove building rubble from the site,” Edwards said.
In light of the exhaustive rescue operations and the high physical stress endured by the multi-disciplinary emergency personnel working tirelessly at the Victoria Street Building collapse site, volunteers have stepped in to provide essential support.
Recognising the critical need for sustaining these dedicated workers’ health and energy levels, volunteers are supplying vitamin B complex boosters.
These supplements play a vital role in releasing energy through metabolism and supporting overall bodily functions under strenuous conditions.
The George Municipality thanks all volunteers and medical professionals for their invaluable assistance during this critical time.
Rescue operations continue at the building collapse site on Victoria Street today with a multi-disciplinary rescue team of more than 200 emergency services available.