Rescue teams in the coastal city of George, South Africa, have made contact with 11 construction workers who were buried alive beneath the wreckage of a multi-story apartment complex that collapsed on Monday. This breakthrough has renewed hopes amid an ongoing rescue operation that has been complicated by the extensive damage caused when the five-story building under construction suddenly gave way.
The head of the rescue operation, Deiner van Heerden, revealed on Tuesday that contact with one of the trapped workers came after he managed to call his wife from beneath the rubble, providing a critical clue to his location. While responders have yet to extract him, they have pinpointed his position. This initial contact paved the way for locating others, as the rescue teams continued to work tirelessly to reach them. Tragically, six workers have already been confirmed dead, and there are growing concerns that the death toll could rise significantly. Authorities said 37 people remain unaccounted for amid the collapsed concrete slabs and twisted metal scaffolding that fell when the building collapsed.
The rescue operation has become a race against time, with fears that some trapped workers may succumb to their injuries or lack of oxygen if not rescued quickly. Deiner noted that four of the trapped workers were located in what was once the basement of the building. The rescue team planned to spend most of Tuesday extracting the 11 workers they had located, many of whom had limbs pinned beneath heavy concrete and were unable to move. Meanwhile, more than 100 emergency personnel, including specialized teams trained in rescue operations in collapsed structures, are working tirelessly to clear debris and find additional survivors.
The search-and-rescue operation has been a complex endeavor, requiring the use of sniffer dogs, large cranes, and other heavy equipment. Tall spotlights were erected to allow rescuers to work through the night, and several local hospitals have cleared space in their trauma units to accommodate incoming survivors. A pivotal moment in the operation came when Deiner ordered all machinery to be shut off and everyone to remain silent. This allowed the rescue teams to listen for any sounds that might indicate trapped survivors. This approach led to the discovery of the 11 workers, giving rescuers a glimmer of hope amid the chaos.
The process of removing layers of concrete will begin once the 11 identified workers have been rescued, with the hope of uncovering more survivors. The operation has garnered additional support, with over 50 emergency responders from nearby towns and cities arriving overnight to assist in the search. Despite the challenges and the growing death toll, the rescue teams remain determined to save as many lives as possible.
- Tags: Collapse, Disaster, Rescue, South Africa
