๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง: ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ, ๐ช๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ – ๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐๐ณ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ
๐๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ข๐/๐๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐, ๐ญ๐ฐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฐ, ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฌ๐ต:๐ฌ๐ฌ
Rescue and recovery efforts continue into week two after the incident took place at 75 Victoria Street where a partially-built building collapsed.
Since the first call for support by Psychosocial Support Practitioners was put out on 11 May 2024, we can confirm that adequate numbers of fluent practitioners in Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona languages are all on-site to address the emotional, social, and overall mental health needs of those affected by the building collapse. Thank you for standing with us during this critical time.
Rescue workers and other role players have been on site for 187 hours.
The confirmed statistics for the incident are:
* Total estimated individuals on-site when the incident occurred: 81
* Rescued and recovered: 61
* Of which deceased: 32 (26 males, 6 females)
* Currently hospitalised: 12
* Unaccounted for: 20
๐๐๐ฆ๐ง-๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฆ
The primary focus continues to be on rescue efforts. With this in mind, we are also proactively setting up plans to expedite the identification of the deceased. This is done by Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) and South African Police Service (SAPS). We, therefore, endeavour to fast-track the process to help bring closure to families. Fingerprints, DNA testing and photographs of unique markings such as tattoos and clothing items are some of the methods used to identify the deceased. Forensic Pathology Services are not limited to the Victoria Street Disaster in George, but also include other cases that happen on a daily basis.
It is confirmed that six (6) of the deceased were positively identified โ this information also went through the system.
๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ
We are experiencing difficulties in obtaining accurate names of individuals missing or deceased due to the building collapse. We urgently request families who have lost contact with their loved ones to come to the George Civic Centre on York Street. This will enable the Department of Social Development to collect detailed and precise information, ensuring that all records are accurately documented.
๐ฆ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ก ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐
The Joint District Operations Centre’s adherence to a stringent double verification protocol is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of reported numbers of the deceased, which is essential in emergency and disaster response scenarios. This verification process involves cross-referencing information from multiple reliable sources, such as recovery teams, hospitals, and forensic services.
๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฆ
Today, 14 May 2024, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Provincial and National Teams will be visiting the area at 10:00.
The National Minister of Employment and Labour, Hon. Thulas Nxesi, will be visiting the area on Thursday, 16 May 2024.
๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ค๐จ๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ฆ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ
A request for a Cultural prayer by a family member of one of the deceased was made and permission has been granted for Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at 07:15.
The next update will be issued by 12:00 midday, 14 May 2024.