The Rising Death Toll and Missing Individuals: George Building Collapse Claims 33 Lives, 19 People Still Missing
In a tragic turn of events, the death toll from the George building collapse has risen to 33, with 20 individuals still unaccounted for, nearly a week after the incident occurred.
Confirming the updated figures on Tuesday, 14 May, the George Municipality revealed that the death toll had increased since the previous day as rescue operations entered their 187th hour.
The collapse of the 5-storey building, located on a construction site in George, took place on Wednesday, 08 May, trapping 81 workers within its structure.
According to the Sowetan, of the 33 individuals who lost their lives in the incident, 27 were men and 6 were women.
Also Read: Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 24 in Catastrophic George Building Collapse
Ongoing Rescue and Recovery Efforts: Week Two of Operation as 61 Rescued, 12 Hospitalized
Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing as the incident enters its second week. The collapse occurred at 75 Victoria Street, where a partially built building unexpectedly crumbled.
Since the initial call for assistance on 11 May 2024, Psychosocial Support Practitioners have been present on-site, offering support in Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona languages to address the emotional, social, and overall mental health needs of those affected by the building collapse.
Out of the 61 individuals who have been rescued and recovered, 12 remain hospitalized for treatment.
Allegations of Unskilled and Undocumented Workers: Police Probe Claims Surrounding Site Employees
The cause of the building collapse is yet to be determined, and an investigation is currently underway to ascertain the factors that led to the collapse of the 5-storey structure.
The construction company responsible for the George site, NeoTrend Developer, has committed to fully cooperating with authorities in their investigation into the incident.
Furthermore, the police are looking into allegations that some of the workers at the site may have been unskilled and undocumented, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
