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MEDIA STATEMENT: 12pm Status Update – Building Collapse, Victoria Street – George

MEDIA STATEMENT: 12pm Status Update – Building Collapse, Victoria Street – George
Issued Garden Route District JOC/George Municipality, 11 May 2024, @ 12pm

Update:

Day five of rescue operations at the collapsed building site on 75 Victoria Street is underway. The multi-agency command persists in employing a systematic rescue and recovery approach, meticulously clearing rubble to uncover potential voids (open spaces) where individuals may be trapped. At 12pm, 11 May 2024, the operation has spanned 118 hours.
Rescue teams have found an individual alive and are in communication with him. They were able to provide him with water. It might still take several hours to extricate him, Medical teams are on site and ready to assist throughout.

Confirmed statistics:
– Total estimated individuals on-site during the incident: 81
– Patients rescued: 42
– Patients deceased: 13
– Patients currently hospitalized: 13
– Unaccounted for: 39
The Joint District Operations Centre adheres to a rigorous double verification protocol in reporting rescue and recovery numbers, collaborating closely with recovery teams, hospitals, and forensic services.

In our ongoing efforts to support survivors and families, we issue a call for professional psychosocial support practitioners proficient in Chewa, Portuguese, and Shona languages. Practitioners can reach out to Kholiswa Jobela at 078 210 5972 or Apolus Swart at 061 504 4205.

Donations
There is currently a need for following safety equipment:
helmets,
safety goggles,
headlamps, and
construction gloves.
These items can be delivered to GRDM Fire Station, Pearl Road, Tamsui Industria.

We thank Love George, Gift of the Givers and George Alert Team for coordinating the donations with the support of Lions Club, Rotary, a number of small and big businesses, neighbourhood watches, faithbased organisations and members of the general public.

Further updates will be provided by 12:00 pm, 11 May 2024, South African Time.

Photo Credit: Herman Pieters, Garden Route Municipality