Ngcobo Shop Wall Collapse Claims 5 Lives, Leaves 16 Injured in Eastern Cape

• Five people have died and 16 others are left injured after a wall partially collapsed on them in Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape
• It took rescue workers over six hours to look for the victims; the injured were rushed to the All Saints Hospital
• The local mayor, Siyabulela Zangqa, sent his condolences to the families of the lost loved ones and described the circumstances as very tragic

Trisha Pillay is a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg. For 13 years, she has devoted her professional life to covering social issues and community news, sharing her expertise with newsrooms like The Citizen newspaper, African News Network, and Newzroom Afrika. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email trisha.pillay@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line

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EASTERN CAPE - The community in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, is mourning after a wall collapsed, killing five people and injuring at least 16.

Fatal Ngcobo accident

According to News24, The death toll rose to five after a retail shop wall collapsed in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, on Friday afternoon.

Four people died on the scene and a fifth person died in hospital. It's reported that the search and rescue operation to find survivors took six hours.

According to TimesLIVE, the Engcobo Local Municipality Mayor Siyabulela Zangqa said the Ngcobo building housed a hair salon and other businesses. He also confirmed the building was old and not well-maintained:

“We are shocked by the incident. We have to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The municipality would have to launch an investigation into what caused the building to collapse."

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It is alleged that hawkers, who were nearby when the incident happened, are among the victims.

Mzansi sends love

The news of the untimely deaths quickly spread, with many sending their well wishes to the victims of the family.

Here are some of the reactions:

@Thuputlela Dobel Wallace commented:

"This is happening in coastal areas due to tectonic plates shifting. They warn these areas will be badly affected."

@Lefu Mega Tshabalala shared:

"The same thing leads to another. This is so tragic, and this country needs a serious prayer."

@Thobekile Ka MaMdabe Mvuyana expressed:

"We are under attack."

@Busisiwe Matsepiso Dlungane-Leluma shared:

"George Western Cape, now Eastern Cape."

@Magalhães Joaquim De Almeida said:

"My condolences to the family."

@Erliana Putri said:

"Prayers for the family and friends."

Death toll rises to 12 in George building collapse

In a related story, Briefly News reported that the death toll for the George building collapse has increased to 12.

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Death toll in George building collapse hits 16, 36 still missing, rescue operation ongoing

According to Western Cape officials, it has been confirmed that at least 81 people were on-site at the time of the collapse.

Forty-one people are still unaccounted for as the desperate rescue mission continues.

Source: Briefly News