George Building Collapse: 7 Lives Lost, Search Continues

• Seven people have succumbed to their injuries in the multi-storey building collapse in George, Western Cape
• The municipality confirmed that emergency personnel who pulled 34 people from the debris continued to search for 41 others
• The building, which was under construction, collapsed on the afternoon of 6 May 2024 with 75 workers on site

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

The death toll in the George multi-storey building collapse has risen to seven.

A report released by the George Municipality just after 9 pm on 7 May 2024 confirmed that search and rescue teams removed 34 people from the debris:

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After a 31-hour search and rescue mission, the George Municipality said over 200 emergency services personnel continued to rummage through the rubble in search of the 41 people who were unaccounted for.

Seventy-five construction workers were reportedly on the site when the building collapsed at 2:09 pm on 6 May 2024.

Western Cape officials identified the company in charge of the construction project as Neo Trend ICE Projects. This is despite George Mayor Leon van Wyk emphasising that the name of the company and owner were not to be revealed as the matter was being treated as a criminal case.

South Africans speculate on the cause of the collapse

Many netizens shared their theories on the reasons behind the tragic incident. Some social media users suggested that the use of subpar materials was to blame, while others questioned the skills of some of the workers.

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@RashidMuha14214 wondered:

“What if the company was buying cheap building materials for a big profit? b4 we talk about foreigners luck of experience.”

@TiroMokoditoa commented:

“I wouldn't be surprised if the number 1 culprit that's responsible for the George building collapse is a sub-standard cheap imported cement that's flooding our country.”

@AndreiDamane speculated:

“This building collapse in George is so devastating and I have so many questions. I am so sure that NHBRC standards or council approvals were flouted because there’s no way.”

@GaytonMcK said:

It is crucially important to see the names of all trapped and rescued workers. We are being told that the majority of workers are unregistered and illegal foreigners. The work on the George building was done by unqualified illegal persons. We need to know @Our_DA.

@LuckyKunene2024 added:

“Apparently, the constructors didn't even have an NHRBC certificate.”

Joburg City’s silent crisis: Usindiso blaze report unveiled

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Briefly News reported that many netizens felt they still had unanswered questions after Judge Sisi Khampepe released the first part of her report.

Judge Khampepe's inquiry into the Usindiso fire found that four City entities must face disciplinary measures for neglecting their duties.

Kampepe further advised that the police probe an ANC councillor and policing forum member for allegedly collecting rent from residents.

Source: Briefly News