A couple in the South African coastal city of George is sharing their joy after their son, Delvin Safers, was rescued from under the rubble of a collapsed building. As rescue-and-search operations continue for a third day to find the 39 people who are still unaccounted for, Delvin is among the 29 survivors who have been freed.
The harrowing ordeal captured the attention of South Africans as Delvin sent heart-wrenching voice notes to his parents and girlfriend, expressing his love and fear that he may not make it out alive.
Delvin’s father, Dion Safers, shared his panic as he awaited news of his son’s fate. However, his anxiety turned to relief when a rescuer phoned late on Tuesday to inform him that Delvin had been found.
The rescue was made possible by a sniffer dog that started barking, alerting the rescuers to Delvin’s location. They drilled a hole through the concrete until they could see his hand, and then provided him with essential supplies such as chocolate, water, a mask, and protective spectacles.
Delvin’s mother, Delmarie, played a crucial role in keeping her son motivated during his time trapped under the rubble.
She sent him a picture of his two-year-old son, Zyar, to remind him of the love and support waiting for him. Delmarie expressed her gratitude that the picture worked, stating, “It really worked.”
In one of his voice notes to his girlfriend Nicole, Delvin expressed his exhaustion and fear of not making it out alive. He sobbed, saying, “I just hope they [rescue teams] can get this done quickly because I’m not going to make it. I don’t have any energy. I’m tired, tired, tired.”
The five-storey apartment block collapsed while under construction in George, a popular tourist destination along the scenic Garden Route in the Western Cape province.
All those trapped under the rubble, including Delvin, were workers at the site. Of the 29 survivors, six have life-threatening injuries, and 16 are in critical condition in the hospital.
Delvin suffered bruises on his face and body but is now able to walk. His mother, Delmarie, described the joy of seeing him walk again, saying, “He looked better. He has a smile on his face. When I saw him walk, it was one of the greatest moments today.” She also emphasized the importance of supporting other families affected by the tragedy, stating, “Their grief is our grief.”
The rescue operation involves 200 people, including sniffer dogs, heavy lifting equipment, and manual debris removal. The operation has now shifted to the back of the site, specifically an underground car park. Rescue teams are facing the challenge of collapsed voids that are difficult to reach.
Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the building’s collapse. Dion expressed his anger and disbelief at the incident, calling for accountability. He stated, “We can’t believe it. People must be held responsible, and someone must go to jail for that.”
The rescue of Delvin Safers from the collapsed building in George is nothing short of a miracle.
As the search for the remaining missing individuals continues, the bravery and dedication of the rescue teams give hope to the families affected by this tragedy. The focus now shifts to understanding the cause of the collapse and ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future.
