The tragic incident at the George building collapse has taken a turn for the worse, as the death toll has now reached 15.
Despite a day filled with both hope and sadness, rescue and recovery efforts are persisting into the sixth day at the site. Currently, there are still 37 individuals unaccounted for.
The unfinished block of flats, where the incident occurred on Monday, had approximately 81 artisans present at the time of the collapse.
The tireless efforts of the rescue teams have amounted to over 135 hours of painstaking searching. However, amidst the despair, there have been glimmers of hope.
A miraculous survivor was discovered on Saturday, providing a turning point in the mission. Gerhard Otto, the Chief of Garden Route Disaster Management, expressed the team’s unwavering hope for more live rescues.
He acknowledged the moments of doubt when no signs of life were detected for 48 hours or more, questioning the purpose of their search. Nevertheless, they persevered, and their dedication paid off.
Unfortunately, the sombre mood returned only 12 hours later when another body was recovered from the ruins. Until all trapped workers are brought to the surface, the site will remain an active crime scene.
As the rescue and recovery operations continue, Police Minister Bheki Cele is expected to visit the site on Sunday. The commitment and determination of the rescue teams have been commendable, despite the heart-wrenching circumstances they face.
