What We Know About the Collapsed Construction Site in South Africa
Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing in George, Western Cape province of South Africa, more than 200 hours since the operation began.
Update: This story has been updated to reflect the most recent developments as of 8 p.m. GMT+2.
Thirty-three people have been confirmed dead, with 19 more unaccounted for after a five-story building under construction caved in, trapping workers at about 2:09 p.m. SAST on Monday, May 6. The operation by emergency workers at the site is still referred to as “rescue and recovery,” as 19 people remain unaccounted for.
Of the 33 deceased, 18 have been identified, with seven being South Africans, three from Zimbabwe, one from Lesotho, five from Malawi, and two from Mozambique.
Initially, there was controversy over the disappearance of Ice Projects Pty Ltd from websites and other promotional materials for the construction. However, local media is reporting that Ice Projects, in a statement, says it sold its shares to another company, Scarlet Ribbon Properties 56 Pty Ltd on May 2, 2023, before the approval of building plans were obtained. The statement adds that the company’s reason for selling is that the project would not “yield a significant return on investment.”
The developers have not offered “a single word of condolence,” according to Zimbabwean representative, Freddy Mafa.
Authorities representing Malawi and Zimbabwe visited affected families to discuss repatriation of citizens from the two countries, although consular support services from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) do not include repatriations. However, South Africa’s deputy minister of international relations, Alvin Botes, has appealed to the public for financial assistance to help repatriate the bodies of foreign nationals.
In a statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the loved ones of the people who died in the incident, adding that, “investigations into the cause of the incident must aim to bring closure to the community and prevent a repeat of this disaster.”
A joint statement by the Western Cape premier and the provincial and municipal governments issued on May 7, says, “Everything possible is being done to expedite this very delicate operation.” The statement also appeals to the media to respect the privacy and dignity of the “grieving and deeply distressed” families.
The collapsed multi-story building was located on Victoria street in George CBD. According to George Municipality Mayor Leon van Wyk, the developer, NeoTrend Group submitted its plans in December 2022, with approval granted in July 2023, for what would’ve been a 42-unit block of apartments.
The Western Cape government has also appointed a structural engineering firm to investigate the cause of the collapse.