By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The death toll of the George building collapse has risen to 14 after two more bodies were recovered on Friday afternoon.
Local government MEC Anton Bredell said the two bodies were recovered just over an hour ago.
Bredell, indicated that search efforts are ongoing for the 39 workers that are still trapped.
“We are still looking for 39 more people so it’s going to be a long night again, but as you can hear behind me the machines are working so we will do whatever we can.”
Earlier in the day during the media briefing, Gerhard Otto, head of the Garden Route District Municipality’s disaster management, said some people who were recovered were not on the list provided by the contractor.
This made the authorities uncertain about the number of people who were on site at the time of the accident.
“We established that 81 people were on site. I must say that the contractor couldn’t assure us that at the time of the collapse, all 81 of these people were still on site. Remember [the incident happened] just after lunch break.”
Otto revealed that at some point 193 people from various government departments were part of the rescue response.
“In addition to that, there’s been a lot of help and assistance from volunteers. So up till now, we can safely say that 682 people has been working on this incident.”
Western Cape Disaster Management chief Colin Deiner said they had spoken to the developer earlier today and received information on where they could locate the missing people. It helped them find and retrieve the 3 bodies.
The information they received, indicated that there are still people trapped on the first, second and third floor.
Premier Alan Winde explained that the identification of bodies retrieved from the site is a difficult process that involves fingerprinting, DNA testing, and looking at photographs to match and place, among others.
Dr Smith said DNA identification will become increasingly important to bring closure for families.
Winde said the frustration of family members around their inability to communicate properly is also being addressed. Interpreters from consulates were expected to arrive today. If required, resources from the Premier’s office are being used to find interpreters.
Responding to a quesion about fears that delays in DNA testing could occur because of an existing testing backlog, Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said the forensic lab is on standby for testing of disaster victims and the only delay that might occur would be where a match with family members is needed and they cannot be found.
The whereabouts of the owner of the building is still unknown. “We are at an initial stage, on our part, to do investigations. When the time comes to speak to them, we will find them,” said Patekile.
Meanwhile Dr Joe Phaahla, National Health Minister, and Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo were in George today to visit the site, the two hospitals and the mortuary where temporary additional space has been created.
Phaahla said the incident is regarded as a national disaster and pledged solidarity with the province. He expressed gratitude towards all who have been involved in the medical emergencies of the disaster since Monday.
“We are grateful that this hospital (Mediclinic George) rose to the occasion when they were approached for help.” Routine operations were cancelled and management, staff and private doctors became involved.