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MEDIA STATEMENT: 09:00 Update on Building Collapse Site in George, Western Cape – South Africa, 16 May 2024 at 09:00

Rescue and recovery efforts on day nine (9) will carry over to day ten (10) at 14:09, following the incident at 75 Victoria Street. Rescue workers and other role-players have been on site of the collapsed building for 235 hours.

The confirmed statistics for the incident are:
* Total estimated individuals on-site when the incident occurred: 81
* Rescued and recovered: 62
* Of which deceased: 33 (27 males, 6 females)
* Currently hospitalised: 12
* Unaccounted for: 19

FAMILIES LINKED TO SURVIVORS AND DECEASED

So far, 47 victims have been linked to their families.

BUILDING RUBBLE REMOVAL

An estimated 2 500 tons of building rubble has been removed from the incident site, with approximately 500 tons still remaining. For the purposes of the rescue operation, the site has been divided into six sections. Two of these sections have not yet been fully cleared down to the basement level and that process continues to take place.

STRICT VERIFICATION IN PLACE

The Garden Route District Joint 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.

MINISTERIAL AND OTHER VISITS

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Hon. Cyril Ramaphosa, is visiting the disaster site in George today with the Premier of the Western Cape, Hon. Alan Winde. They will be accompanied by several National and Provincial Ministers.

A media briefing is set for 13:00 in front of the foyer of the George Town Hall.

DONATIONS FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL AT THE GEORGE BUILDING COLLAPSE SITE

The George Municipality would like to provide details of how the public can support the multi-disciplinary emergency personnel with donations of drinking water, energy drinks, wine gums, or food for emergency services while they are on-site.

Donations may be delivered to AFM (AGS) Soteria Church at 27 Victoria Street in George or contact the Gift of the Givers: Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752) and Herman Pienaar (082 829 6428) in this regard.

POST-INCIDENT SUPPORT

The Western Cape Department of Social Development has indicated that a comprehensive range of services will continue to be made available to the affected families for a minimum of 6-months.

Psychosocial support for all rescue and non-rescue personnel will be addressed.

The next update will be issued at 12:00 midday today, 16 May 2024.

Photograph: Garden Route District Municipality

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