Three days after building collapse in South Africa, 44 people still missing, hopes fading for more survivors

George, South Africa — Number of people missing under rubble Five-storey apartment building collapses in South Africa Officials said there were six more construction workers than originally thought, and temperatures Thursday morning were warmer than since the disaster Monday afternoon. Local leaders in the town of George on South Africa's southern coast said they believed there were 81 workers at the site when the building collapsed into a pile of broken concrete and twisted metal. .

As of Thursday, 29 people had been rescued from the scene and eight were confirmed dead. Three days after the collapse, he said, hopes that the 44 workers still missing might be found alive were fading rapidly.

Six of those pulled alive from the rubble were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, and 16 others were in critical condition.

Rescue efforts were temporarily halted on Wednesday as teams tried to find the source of “sounds or banging sounds” emanating from beneath the shattered concrete slabs, George Mayor Leon van Wyk said. . But he acknowledged time was running out and said the chances of surviving such an accident dropped dramatically after 72 hours.

Van Wyk told South African state broadcaster SABC on Wednesday that the operation would enter a “body recovery” phase “rather than a rescue” from the next day.

“As rescue efforts continue through the night, emergency response teams will now deploy more serious concrete breakers and additional trucks to remove building debris from the scene and remove the remaining trapped victims,” ​​the City of George said in a statement. We plan to release the patient.”

The cause of the construction site disaster has not yet been determined, but local and national officials have promised a thorough investigation.

Foreman Moses Malala, who survived the collapse, told AFP he heard a loud bang before the building collapsed. He said Malala, who was working on the roof, felt his feet slip when the building began to buckle to one side.

He watched his colleagues fall one by one. Many people are still buried under the rubble.

Malala was injured but narrowly escaped with her life, and rescue efforts continue.

“It hurts so much…I can't sleep.” “Since I arrived here on Monday, we have been trying to remove relatives and brothers and sisters.”

On Wednesday, more than 200 rescue workers and paramedics were divided into three teams to search separate areas.

The building, which collapsed around 2pm on Monday, was intended to be a 42-unit apartment complex.

Slight cheers could be heard Tuesday night as survivors were pulled from the rubble and placed on stretchers. Another body was recovered and wrapped in a blanket.

“This is a tragedy. It should never have happened,” said Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of disaster relief NGO Gift of the Givers. “You can't blame the municipality, you can't blame the government. You have to blame the people who were responsible for this construction.”

Religious leaders and social workers rushed to the scene to assist and comfort the distraught family.

Men, women, and children sang and prayed in City Hall, waiting for news of their loved ones.

Alfred Mbono, a relative of the missing worker, said: “I don't feel well because I haven't received any information.'' “They just told us we… have to wait. But we… will wait from the third day.”

Summarize this content to 100 words George, South Africa — Number of people missing under rubble Five-storey apartment building collapses in South Africa Officials said there were six more construction workers than originally thought, and temperatures Thursday morning were warmer than since the disaster Monday afternoon. Local leaders in the town of George on South Africa's southern coast said they believed there were 81 workers at the site when the building collapsed into a pile of broken concrete and twisted metal. .As of Thursday, 29 people had been rescued from the scene and eight were confirmed dead. Three days after the collapse, he said, hopes that the 44 workers still missing might be found alive were fading rapidly. Six of those pulled alive from the rubble were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, and 16 others were in critical condition.

Rescuers try to find a construction worker trapped under a collapsed building in George, South Africa, on May 8, 2024.

Esa Alexander/Reuters

Rescue efforts were temporarily halted on Wednesday as teams tried to find the source of “sounds or banging sounds” emanating from beneath the shattered concrete slabs, George Mayor Leon van Wyk said. . But he acknowledged time was running out and said the chances of surviving such an accident dropped dramatically after 72 hours.

Van Wyk told South African state broadcaster SABC on Wednesday that the operation would enter a “body recovery” phase “rather than a rescue” from the next day.”As rescue efforts continue through the night, emergency response teams will now deploy more serious concrete breakers and additional trucks to remove building debris from the scene and remove the remaining trapped victims,” ​​the City of George said in a statement. We plan to release the patient.”

The cause of the construction site disaster has not yet been determined, but local and national officials have promised a thorough investigation.

A family of construction workers reacts near a site where dozens of workers were trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in George, South Africa, May 7, 2024.

Esa Alexander/Reuters

Foreman Moses Malala, who survived the collapse, told AFP he heard a loud bang before the building collapsed. He said Malala, who was working on the roof, felt his feet slip when the building began to buckle to one side.He watched his colleagues fall one by one. Many people are still buried under the rubble. Malala was injured but narrowly escaped with her life, and rescue efforts continue.

“It hurts so much…I can't sleep.” “Since I arrived here on Monday, we have been trying to remove relatives and brothers and sisters.” On Wednesday, more than 200 rescue workers and paramedics were divided into three teams to search separate areas. The building, which collapsed around 2pm on Monday, was intended to be a 42-unit apartment complex.

Rescue workers work at the scene of a collapsed building in George, South Africa, May 7, 2024.

Willy Van Tonder/AFP/Getty

Slight cheers could be heard Tuesday night as survivors were pulled from the rubble and placed on stretchers. Another body was recovered and wrapped in a blanket. “This is a tragedy. It should never have happened,” said Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of disaster relief NGO Gift of the Givers. “You can't blame the municipality, you can't blame the government. You have to blame the people who were responsible for this construction.” Religious leaders and social workers rushed to the scene to assist and comfort the distraught family. Men, women, and children sang and prayed in City Hall, waiting for news of their loved ones.

Alfred Mbono, a relative of the missing worker, said: “I don't feel well because I haven't received any information.'' “They just told us we… have to wait. But we… will wait from the third day.”

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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-africa-building-collapse-george-deaths-missing-hope-fades-for-survivors/ Three days after building collapse in South Africa, 44 people still missing, hopes fading for more survivors