In George, South Africa, a residential building under construction collapsed on Sunday, May 5, causing significant destruction and triggering widespread concern.
Emergency response units in South Africa pressed on with their mission on Monday, May 12, continuing the search for additional survivors after the number of confirmed deaths climbed to 32, a week following the disaster.
Optimism surged during the weekend when a construction worker was miraculously rescued alive from the debris of the collapsed structure in George, a city located on the southern coast of the country, after surviving for six days without access to food or water.
When the collapse occur, rescue operations began immediately, with emergency services tirelessly working to locate and save many construction workers trapped beneath the rubble.
Thirty-two construction workers have now been confirmed dead, and many more sustained injuries, some severe. Many others are still missing.
Rescue Workers Redouble Efforts to Find Survivors
The building collapse occurred around 2:00 p.m. local time in the coastal city of George, about 155 miles east of Cape Town. Aerial drone footage captured a dust cloud billowing as the structure fell apart.
“I saw one guy working and then ‘boom’ and I saw the whole building collapsed… I’m also traumatized. It is very sad,” said Theresa Jeyi, a local councilor who witnessed the event.
As evening approached, the rescue operations accelerated due to the potential of survivors trapped under heavy debris. Over 100 emergency personnel, including sniffer dog teams, were sent to the site, along with cranes and other heavy machinery to aid in the rescue effort.
“The situation at this stage is still very much in the rescue stages,” said Marco Ferreira, a local representative of the Gift of the Givers, a South African disaster relief charity helping rescue workers. “We don’t know, it will probably last for a few days. There are some cranes there to help lift some concrete. But it’s not a pretty sight.”
The cause of the building’s collapse is currently being investigated.
Distressed Families Await News
Simultaneously, as the rescue mission was underway, relatives of the missing workers gathered at a nearby municipal building, anxiously waiting for updates on their family members.
“Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected by the disaster as they continue to wait on word of their loved ones,” stated George Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk.
The Western Cape provincial government reiterated these sentiments, confirming its close monitoring of the situation and offering additional resources to support the rescue efforts.
Community Reeling from Collapse
The local community was deeply affected by the collapse. The George Municipality expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and extended wishes for a swift recovery to the injured workers. It confirmed that its disaster management teams, ambulances, and police were actively working on the scene alongside emergency responders.
Local media reported that the collapsed structure was intended to be a multi-story apartment building, with the exact number of floors yet to be confirmed. The building seemed to have four or five levels, according to Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, the spokesperson for the George Municipality.
The number of workers on-site at the time of the collapse varied between reports. Reuters reported 75 workers, while some South African media outlets put the number at 50.
Rescue of Young Father Sparks Hope
A couple shared the heartening news of their son’s rescue from the debris with the BBC.
29-year-old Delvin Safers is among the several individuals who have been rescued, as the search for other missing persons continues.
Delvin’s harrowing situation gained nationwide attention in South Africa through the poignant voice messages he sent his family, expressing his deep love for them and voicing his fears about not surviving.
Dion Safers, his father, recalled to the BBC his anxiety, which only subsided after receiving a call late on Tuesday from a rescuer who reported finding Delvin.
This breakthrough came when a search dog barked, alerting the rescue team, who managed to drill through concrete and eventually saw his hand.
Dion stated, “They provided him with chocolate, water, a mask, and a pair of safety glasses.”
Delvin’s mother, Delmarie, shared with the BBC how they encouraged Delvin by sending him a photo of his two-year-old son, Zyar, urging him to stay hopeful.
“It was effective. It truly made a difference,” she said.
In a voice note to his girlfriend Nicole, Delvin, speaking in Afrikaans and holding back tears, said, “My love, my phone’s battery is nearly gone. It was turned off, and I’ve only switched it on now to see.”
He also shared his exhaustion and hope for a quick rescue, saying, “I’m utterly drained. I’m exhausted in every way.”
All victims, including Delvin, were employees working on the construction project.
Delvin suffered severe bruising to his face and body and was initially unable to walk; however, he has since regained some movement.
Dion voiced his anger about the collapse of a new structure, demanding accountability and legal action for those at fault, “It’s unbelievable. Someone needs to face justice for this,” he asserted during his conversation with the BBC.
Rescue Efforts Persist; Recovery Predicted to be Difficult
Those lucky enough to be rescued are likely to encounter a difficult recovery process, both physically and psychologically. The mental impact of such a traumatic event can be substantial.
The incident has sparked concerns over building safety standards in South Africa, leading to calls for a comprehensive investigation into the cause to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
