Update: George building collapse: 4 dead, 24 extracted

George Municipality confirmed at 05:15 this morning that four people have been declared deceased and 24 have been removed from the rubble of the collapsed multi-story construction site at 75 Victoria Street in George.

Fifty-one people are unaccounted for.

Of those removed from the rubble, 10 are critically injured, three are not critically injured, seven have minor injuries and four are deceased.

Seventy-five construction workers were at the site at the time of the collapse which occurred at 14:09 yesterday.

Three teams of rescue personnel are working in three different areas at the site.

The municipality will provide another update at 09:00.

Road closures

Victoria Street remains closed for access at the York Street intersection, as well as midway down the street, which means the Victoria Street gate to the George Municipal Building is not accessible to pedestrians or vehicles.

The public has been requested to avoid the general area due to the constant presence of moving emergency vehicles and personnel.

The municipal building can be accessed via the Progress Street gate.

Thank you to volunteers

George municipal manager Dr Gratz expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the organisations and individuals who have sprung into action to assist with the rescue operation.

“We thank everyone who has volunteered of their time or provided sustenance to the rescue personnel. We continue to keep the families, friends and colleagues of those involved in this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers,” she said.

Should any member of the public wish to provide drinking water, Lucozade, wine gums, or any food for the emergency services while they are on-site, you can deliver them to the tent site via Ivy Street at 79 Victoria Street, which is being manned by Gift of the Givers and Herman Pienaar of LoveGeorge.

For enquiries to give please contact: Gift of the Givers: Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752) and Herman Pienaar (082 829 6428).