South Africa: Deadly building collapse leaves dozens trapped

A rescue operation is continuing in South Africa after a five-storey building under construction collapsed, killing four people and leaving at least 50 trapped.

Officials in the city of George, Western Cape province, say 24 people have been pulled from the wreckage and taken to hospital.

A team of 75 crew were on the site when the building collapsed on Monday.

The cause of the incident in the coastal city is being investigated.

The building crumbled at 14:09 local time (12:09 GMT), Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said.

“Seventy-five members of construction crew have been confirmed on site at that time of the incident,” he added.

Emergency services were seen rushing to the scene to search for survivors in the city 450km (279 miles) east of Cape Town.

Two of the 22 people pulled from the wreckage died of their injuries. Another two deaths were reported later.

“Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected who continue to wait for word of their loved ones,” said George Mayor Ald Van Wyk.

More than 100 rescuers with sniffer dogs worked through the night to locate those trapped in the building. Heavy lifting equipment is being used to assist the operation.

Officials said they had been able to establish contact with some of those under the rubble.

Photos have emerged showing a completely flattened construction site, with parts of the building’s roof laying atop the rubble.

“I saw one guy was working and then ‘boom’ and I saw the whole building collapsed… I’m also traumatised. It is very sad,” local councillor Theresa Jeyi was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

Source: BBC